Screwworm Outbreak Stops Quintana Roo Cattle Exports to U.S.

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Cattle producers in Quintana Roo have suspended exports to the United States following the immediate closure of the border due to a new case of screwworm infestation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ordered the halt just two days after the resumption of Mexican cattle imports.

Immediate Border Closure Announced

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the immediate prohibition of cattle, bison, and horses from entering the U.S. from Mexico. The decision comes after Quintana Roo’s Secretary of Agricultural, Rural, and Fisheries Development (SEDARPE), Jorge Aguilar Osorio, confirmed on July 1 that exports to the U.S. would resume starting July 7, as previously authorized by Rollins.

Aguilar Osorio reported that Quintana Roo has five active cases of screwworm but has contained the spread through monitoring and case tracking. According to SEDARPE’s livestock registry, the state has 4,741 cattle producers operating the same number of Livestock Production Units (UPPs), with a total herd of 152,906 head of cattle.

A Brief Resumption of Exports

Quintana Roo had recently resumed cattle exports to the U.S. after a nine-year hiatus, sending 102 head of cattle. While consolidated data on total export volumes from the state is unavailable, Quintana Roo contributes 0.3% of Mexico’s national cattle production, with approximately 152,000 head, according to state government figures.

The sudden border closure has disrupted trade, leaving producers uncertain about future export opportunities. Authorities continue to monitor screwworm cases to prevent further outbreaks.