Mexico’s Restrictions on Pork Offal Remain Costly for U.S. Industry
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Following a recent pseudorabies finding in Iowa, Mexico closed its border to U.S. pork offal products for more than a month. According to U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) estimates, that closure cost U.S. exporters $7 million each week it was in place. Although some offal shipments to Mexico have resumed, restrictions on product from Iowa and Texas remain in place and source verification requirements create obstacles for shipments from other states.
The limited availability of U.S. pork offal products is frustrating not only U.S. exporters, but also Mexican retailers, restaurants and consumers who have come to rely on the product, according to USMEF Mexico Trade Manager Rigoberto Treviño. He says the cost for some offal products such as pork uterus has doubled, and that comes as USMEF has seen success building demand for variety meats across Mexico through programs like Cantina Vibes, which trains chefs and restaurateurs how to make affordable tacos, carnitas and other casual dining dishes using a wide range of U.S. pork offal items.
The World Organization for Animal Health recently certified that the pseudorabies virus find in five boars in Iowa was an isolated event and that it has been successfully contained. USMEF continued to communicate with U.S. trade officials as they work to remove the remaining Mexican trade restrictions on U.S. pork offal products.