USDA to Resume Mexican Cattle Imports at Two More Border Ports — Columbus on Oct. 26, Nogales on Nov. 30

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to resume cattle imports from Mexico at two additional ports of entry — Columbus, New Mexico, on Oct. 26 and, if safe-trade conditions are in place, Nogales, Arizona, on Nov. 30 — Reuters reported on Tuesday. Shipments were halted last year to keep out the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite; the block helped push U.S. ground beef prices to record highs this year.

Awaaz Punjab Investigations Desk20 October 20263 min readRead in all 3 languages

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to resume cattle imports from Mexico at two additional U.S. ports of entry, after halting shipments last year in an attempt to keep out the flesh-eating parasite New World screwworm, Reuters reported on Tuesday, Oct. 20, citing the agency's announcement.

The USDA plans to restart imports in Columbus, New Mexico, on Oct. 26 and, if conditions for safe trade are in place, in Nogales, Arizona, on Nov. 30, according to a post on X by the agency, Reuters reported. Horse imports are expected to resume in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Oct. 26.

The reopening is phased: the USDA resumed livestock trade in Douglas, Arizona, in August and at a large port in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, in September, Reuters reported. The agency said it has confirmed 56 U.S. screwworm cases since June, and five are active.

The block on imports of Mexican cattle helped push U.S. ground beef prices to record highs this year, contributing to rising concerns about food affordability ahead of the November midterm elections, Reuters reported. For families watching grocery bills — including Punjabi diaspora households across the U.S. — a steadier cattle supply is one of the levers that can ease beef prices, though the USDA's dates remain conditional on safe-trade checks at Nogales. Sources: Reuters (reporting by Tom Polansek); U.S. Department of Agriculture, announcement on X.