The United States is moving ahead with the gradual reopening of its border to Mexican cattle, adding two crossings to Douglas and Santa Teresa, which have already reopened.
Together, the four crossings accounted for approximately 81% of cattle imports from Mexico in 2023, the last full year with the border fully open, according to Oklahoma State University.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on October 20 that Columbus, New Mexico, will reopen to cattle imports on October 26. Nogales, Arizona, is scheduled to reopen on November 30, provided animal health conditions support safe trade and the required facilities and inspection arrangements are in place. The measures are part of efforts to restore trade under enhanced safeguards against New World screwworm.
Douglas, Arizona, across the border from Agua Prieta, was the first to reopen, on August 24. Santa Teresa, New Mexico, followed on September 24. The latter is the main cattle crossing, accounting for nearly 43% of Mexican cattle entering the United States in 2023. Together with Columbus, the New Mexico crossings represented more than 53% of the total, while Douglas and Nogales accounted for another 27.5%.
Before the restrictions, US imports of Mexican cattle averaged 1.18 million head annually during the decade preceding the November 2024 border closure.
