Expect beef prices to go up, as imports from Mexico remain in short supply due to screwworm fears

Expect meat prices to go up in coming weeks as beef from Mexico remains in short supply due to ongoing screw-worm restrictions on Mexican cattle.

Jesús Brígido Coronel, president of Mexico’s Beef Producers Association, says constraints by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have led to the Mexican cattle industry losing anywhere from $25 million to $30 million each month.

“For the industry that exports meat, there have been losses that can’t be made up by selling the beef here,” he said.

He also stated all members of the association are following rules to prevent the screwworm disease from spreading into the U.S. by trying to eradicate the parasite in Mexico.

According to Brígido Coronel, the price of meat has gone up by 20 percent due to restrictions placed on Mexican cattle limiting the number of stock being allowed across the border. He expects to prices to keep climbing making it more expensive for U.S. consumers to buy meat.

Back in November, the USDA stopped cattle imports after the parasite was found in southern Mexico.

The ban was lifted temporarily, but was reinstated due to the pest’s continued spread and northward movement.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins again suspended Mexican cattle imports to the United States due to renewed fears of New World screwworm infestation.