Alberta beef has made its way to Costco stores in Mexico. Heath MacDonald, the Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, attended a ribbon-cutting event at a Costco store near Mexico City, showcasing various cuts of Alberta beef. MacDonald expressed optimism about the partnership between JBS Canada and Costco Mexico, with around 20,000 tonnes of beef from Brooks, Alberta, being distributed to 41 Costco locations in Mexico.
Salvador Hernandez, the director of JBS Mexico, emphasized the significance of this deal in diversifying the Mexican beef market, traditionally dominated by U.S. beef. The agreement, initiated after a year-long effort by JBS Canada, was solidified with Costco Mexico officials visiting the Brooks processing plant, as highlighted by Claudia Herrera-Blanc from Canada Beef.
Apart from beef, Canadian products like maple syrup, rolled oats, ice wine, and chicken nuggets are also available at Costco Mexico. The store reported weekly sales of Canadian goods amounting to $60,000 US. In another positive development for Canadian producers, Mexico announced the lifting of an 18-month ban on the importation of Canadian pet foods containing bovine meal after discussions between MacDonald and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristán.
Mexico, facing a shortage of pet food domestically, imported approximately $402.7 million worth of pet food in 2024. With Canada holding a 0.5% market share, the agreement opens up opportunities for Canadian pet food exports to Mexico. MacDonald also discussed the implementation of digital phytosanitary certificates to streamline trade processes for organic products like wheat and canola, aiming to enhance trade relations between the two countries.
MacDonald’s visit to Mexico includes a series of meetings, including a visit to Guadalajara in Jalisco state, reflecting the commitment to strengthen trade ties and explore further business opportunities between Canada and Mexico.