Meat Exports Rise as Tomato Prices Come Under Focus

Meat exports to the United States and Canada are expected to rise by up to 12% during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Mexico signed an agreement to stabilize tomato prices by prioritizing domestic supply, reducing intermediaries, and improving production planning.

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World Cup to Boost Mexican Meat Exports

Mexico’s meat industry expects exports to the United States and Canada to increase between 5% and 12% during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, driven by higher demand from restaurants, retailers and consumers across North America. The projected growth comes as the regional meat supply chain faces significant challenges, including restrictions on Mexican live cattle exports due to the New World screwworm, rising production costs and new detections of the pest in Texas. Despite these disruptions, Mexico has expanded its processing capacity and moved further up the value chain, helping boost exports of processed beef and pork products while strengthening its position in the North American meat market.

Mexico Launches Tomato Price Stabilization Plan

Mexico’s government signed a voluntary agreement with tomato producers, retailers and wholesalers to prioritize domestic supply, reduce the role of intermediaries and stabilize prices following a surge that pushed annual tomato inflation above 100%. The initiative will support more than 12,000 growers through improved production planning, direct market access and lower input costs, while PROFECO monitors retail prices to ensure benefits reach consumers. The agreement also comes amid growing trade tensions with the United States, where antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes and upcoming USMCA discussions are raising concerns about export access and the future of North American agricultural trade. 

USDA Confirms First Texas Screwworm Case Since 1966

The USDA confirmed the first domestic detection of the New World screwworm in Texas, prompting quarantine measures, expanded surveillance and accelerated sterile fly releases to contain the parasite and protect the US livestock industry. The detection follows more than a year of coordinated containment efforts with Mexico and highlights the ongoing economic and trade risks posed by the pest, which previously led the United States to suspend imports of Mexican cattle, horses and bison. Both countries are expanding biological control infrastructure and cross-border cooperation to eradicate the screwworm, support livestock trade recovery and prevent further disruptions to North American agricultural supply chains.

Agrifood Organizations Urge Governments to Preserve USMCA

More than 160 agrifood organizations from Mexico, the United States and Canada are calling for the preservation of the USMCA without modifications, arguing that changes could disrupt integrated food supply chains, reduce competitiveness and create uncertainty for producers and exporters across North America. Mexican industry leaders identified seasonality provisions, antidumping measures and science-based trade rules as key concerns, warning that restrictions similar to the US tariff on Mexican tomatoes could expand to other agricultural products. As the treaty review advances, Mexico is also pursuing export diversification through agreements such as the modernized Mexico-EU trade deal to reduce dependence on the US market and strengthen long-term trade resilience.

Mexico Steps Up Banana Controls Amid Smuggling Concerns

Mexican banana producers are calling on the federal government to strengthen enforcement at the Guatemala border, alleging that illegal banana imports are creating unfair competition, depressing prices and threatening jobs in key producing regions. In response, SADER and SENASICA have launched traceability reviews and joined a broader interagency effort involving customs, security and regulatory authorities to investigate reports of agricultural smuggling. The issue also highlights growing concerns over phytosanitary risks, as Mexico continues to invest in pest monitoring, inspections and disease prevention measures to protect domestic banana production.