Alberta beef has made its way to local Costco stores in Mexico. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at a Costco in an upscale Mexico City suburb marked the introduction of porterhouse, New York prime, and other Alberta beef cuts. Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald expressed optimism about the future growth potential of this partnership in an interview with CBC News.
JBS Canada and Costco Mexico recently inked a deal resulting in approximately 20,000 tonnes of beef from Brooks, Alta., being distributed to 41 Costco locations across Mexico. Salvador Hernandez, director for JBS Mexico, highlighted the significance of this agreement in providing Canadian beef a new market in a sector typically dominated by U.S. beef.
The negotiation process, which took around a year, involved showcasing the Brooks processing plant to Costco Mexico officials. Claudia Herrera-Blanc, senior director for Mexico and Latin America at Canada Beef, emphasized the importance of Costco’s reputation for quality in Mexico and how this collaboration has opened new avenues for Canadian beef exports.
Canadian products like maple syrup, rolled oats, ice wine, and chicken nuggets already grace Costco Mexico shelves alongside Alberta prime beef. The store where the beef announcement took place revealed that they sell about $60,000 US (or $84,000 Cdn) worth of Canadian goods weekly.
Additionally, following a meeting between Minister MacDonald and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Julio Berdegué Sacristán, Mexico announced the lifting of an 18-month ban on Canadian pet food imports made with bovine meal. This move aims to provide Mexican families access to high-quality Canadian pet food products.
Mexico’s demand for pet food surpasses its domestic production, with imports reaching about $402.7 million in 2024. Canadian pet food holds a 0.5% market share in Mexico, as per Agriculture Canada data. Discussions also included the potential introduction of digital phytosanitary certificates to streamline the trade process for organic products like wheat and canola.
Minister MacDonald’s visit to Mexico involves various meetings, including a trip to Guadalajara, Jalisco. The focus remains on fostering business relationships, diversifying trade opportunities, and enhancing cooperation between Canada and Mexico.