Mexico accepts US pork by-products again

A temporary import ban imposed by Mexico on certain US pork by-products such as hides, tongues and parts of the head has been lifted again. Since May, a number of parts of the pig were no longer allowed into the country because antibodies of the Aujeszky virus were found in pigs in May. After China, Mexico is the most important buyer of pork by-products and offal for the United States. Each month, about 15,000 tons of product go to the southern neighbour. The impact of the ban imposed at the beginning of May was immediately noticeable. In May, the total volume exported to Mexico dropped sharply. A hit to export volume In total, just over 3,000 tons of by-products and offal crossed the border in May. In April, this was still more than 13,000 tons. The economic value of the volume fell from US $23 million to about US $9 million. The American Meat Export Federation (USMEF) had already calculated that the measure cost the sector millions per week. A spokesperson for the USMEF responded enthusiastically to the news. He also indicated that, in addition to the resumption of the export flow, product produced during the period of the ban may now also cross the border again. Stored product intended for Mexican buyers may therefore still cross the border. In May, Brazilian exporters in particular benefited from the gap that emerged. They saw volume to Mexico increase by as much as 20%. European exporters hardly find buyers on the Mexican market, according to Eurostat figures.