U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins recently led the largest USDA agribusiness trade mission in history, strengthening agricultural ties with Mexico while advancing joint animal health and biosecurity initiatives.
The mission, held in Mexico City, brought together over 150 participants, including 41 U.S. companies, 33 industry cooperators and associations, and six state departments of agriculture. Across three days, delegates conducted more than 500 business-to-business meetings, focused on expanding access for American farm products and reinforcing shared animal health responsibilities.
Trade and Market Growth
Mexico remains one of the United States’ most critical agricultural partners—accounting for $30.2 billion in U.S. exports in 2024, nearly half of which were consumer-oriented products such as meat, dairy, and processed foods.
During the mission, discussions centered on opening new opportunities in ethanol, feed grains, and value-added exports, while ensuring continued collaboration under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Secretary Rollins also met with major Mexican buyers, including Grupo Bimbo and Walmart Mexico, both significant importers of U.S. agricultural ingredients such as wheat, dairy, eggs, and potatoes.
Joint Focus on New World Screwworm
Beyond trade, the delegation emphasized biosecurity and livestock health—particularly efforts to control the New World Screwworm (NWS). The USDA and Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) continue to coordinate surveillance, eradication, and containment strategies in southern Mexico.
Secretary Rollins and Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins reviewed field operations in Chiapas, reaffirming both nations’ commitment to maintaining NWS-free status across North America.
The NWS parasite, which targets warm-blooded animals, poses a major risk to livestock productivity and export trade if not contained. Joint reviews are expected to strengthen existing control programs and improve emergency response readiness on both sides of the border.
State-Level Participation
The U.S. delegation included representatives from Idaho, Nebraska, Washington, California, Tennessee, and Wisconsin—states that collectively contribute billions to beef, dairy, and crop exports. Their involvement highlights the continued importance of state-to-state partnerships in promoting agricultural innovation and market access abroad.
A Stronger North American Partnership
The mission reflects a renewed emphasis on bilateral cooperation and agricultural diplomacy, balancing trade expansion with shared challenges in animal health, food safety, and water management under the 1944 Water Treaty.
With both nations reaffirming their commitment to collaboration, U.S. livestock producers stand to benefit from broader market access, sustained disease prevention, and strengthened regional stability in agricultural trade.
