Alberta beef has made its way to Costco stores in Mexico, marking a significant milestone in the North American beef supply chain. The partnership between JBS Canada and Costco Mexico has led to approximately 20,000 tonnes of beef from Brooks, Alberta, being distributed to 41 Costco locations across Mexico. Salvador Hernandez, the director for JBS Mexico, emphasized that this deal has opened a new frontier for Canadian beef in a market traditionally dominated by U.S. beef.
The agreement, which took about a year to finalize, involved showcasing the processing plant in Brooks to Costco Mexico officials. Claudia Herrera-Blanc, the senior director for Mexico and Latin America for Canada Beef, highlighted Costco’s reputation for quality in Mexico and expressed gratitude for the opportunity this partnership brings.
In addition to Alberta beef, Canadian products like maple syrup, rolled oats, ice wine, and chicken nuggets are also available on Costco shelves in Mexico. The store where the beef announcement was made reported weekly sales of approximately $60,000 US (or $84,000 CAD) worth of Canadian goods.
Furthermore, following a meeting between Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath 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 foods made with bovine meal. This decision aims to provide Mexican families access to high-quality Canadian pet food products.
Discussions between MacDonald and his Mexican counterpart also covered the introduction of digital phytosanitary certificates to facilitate trade in organic products such as wheat and canola. The implementation of these certificates is expected to streamline trade processes and strengthen bilateral relationships between Canada and Mexico.
MacDonald’s visit to Mexico includes a series of meetings and engagements, underscoring the importance of fostering trade relationships and expanding market opportunities.
