US border reopens to Mexican cattle despite screwworm concerns
- A border crossing in Douglas, Arizona, has reopened to Mexican livestock as part of President Donald Trump‘s strategy to address record-high US beef prices following a ban prompted by New World screwworm concerns.
- Despite the border reopening and Trump’s additional decision to permit 331,000 tons of duty-free ground beef imports, agricultural economists warn that consumers will not see immediate price relief.
- The US cattle herd contracted to 86.2 million head in January, reaching its lowest level in 75 years due to severe widespread drought and decades of low returns that forced ranchers to liquidate herds.
- Retail meat costs have surged over the past five years, with average ground beef prices rising nearly 57 percent to $6.89 per pound and uncooked steak climbing 35 percent to a record $13.06 per pound.
- The ongoing supply shortage has strained the processing sector, leading major meat processors such as Tyson Foods and JBS USA to close or reduce operations at several facilities across the country.
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