Mexico will resume live cattle exports to the U.S. Aug. 24 under phased USDA inspections.
Why it matters: The restart affects beef supply, rancher incomes and border trade on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico line. It also tests whether strict biosecurity controls can keep New World screwworm from spreading further.
- The first reopened crossing is Douglas, Arizona, with later consideration for Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico.
- USDA says every animal entering through the reopened ports will get a full inspection for New World screwworm signs.
- USDA is reopening the trade in phases and can pause or adjust the timeline if risk rises or Mexico misses milestones.
- AP says Mexico had 1,969 active screwworm cases and the outbreak had spread to 30 of 32 states by Aug. 22, 2026.
The U.S. will restart live cattle imports from Mexico on Aug. 24, 2026, beginning at the Douglas, Arizona, border crossing, after a suspension tied to New World screwworm risk. The move comes with tight controls: USDA says the reopening is phased and depends on Mexico following a joint action plan.
Every animal entering through the reopened ports will undergo a full USDA inspection for signs of New World screwworm, according to the agency. USDA also said the timeline can be paused or adjusted if risk rises or Mexico misses milestones, and it will consider reopening the Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico ports after evaluating the Douglas opening. USDA announcement
USDA identifies Sonora and Chihuahua as the lowest-risk Mexican states for the parasite because of their inspection programs and geographic distance from the outbreak’s center in southern Mexico. Arizona’s agriculture department said it has added screening, tracking and inspection protocols for cattle entering from Sonora. USDA status page Arizona agriculture department
AP reports the outbreak was first detected in November 2024 and had spread to 30 of Mexico’s 32 states by Aug. 22, 2026. Mexico had 1,969 active cases at the time of publication, down to less than half the infections reported a year earlier. Before the closure, Mexico exported about 1.2 million head of cattle annually to the United States. AP report
The border shutdown hurt both sides of the market, worsening a U.S. livestock shortage and forcing Mexican ranchers to sell domestically at lower prices. One rancher in Sonora told AP: "This is not over yet."
By the numbers
- Aug. 24, 2026 - date live cattle imports from Mexico resume at Douglas, Arizona
- 1,969 - Mexico's active screwworm cases reported by AP at publication
- About 1.2 million - head of cattle Mexico exported annually to the U.S. before the closure
Yes, but: The reopening is not a full return to normal trade. USDA says it is phased, inspection-heavy and can be slowed or paused if conditions worsen.
What's next: USDA will evaluate the Douglas reopening before deciding whether to reopen the Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico ports.