NCBA, KLA and other cattle organizations across the country are encouraging Congress to swiftly approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The trade package, if ratified by Congress, would continue science-based, duty-free trade for U.S. beef producers.
Mexico and Canada have become two of the largest buyers of U.S. beef under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which provides unrestricted trade similar to the terms of USMCA. Since NAFTA went into effect in 1993, U.S. beef exports to Mexico have grown by 545%, while beef shipped to Canada has increased 106%. U.S. beef exports totaled $1.06 billion to Mexico and $745 million to Canada last year.
According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, U.S. beef exports currently are worth $323 per head of fed cattle. Exports to Mexico and Canada alone account for $70 per head. In the case of Mexico, consumers there are willing to pay more for beef cuts that have little or no value in the U.S. market. The U.S. sold $240 million worth of beef tripe, tongue and heart to Mexico during 2018.
NCBA is ramping up advocacy efforts in support of USMCA and asking Congress to quickly ratify the agreement.