Cattle futures hit highs as USDA halts Mexico imports
11 July 2025
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Chicago Mercantile Change (CME) dwell cattle and feeder cattle futures hit contract highs on Thursday after the US Division of Agriculture (USDA) once more halted livestock imports from Mexico over the unfold of the devastating New World screwworm pest, reported Reuters.
Mexico reported a brand new case of screwworm about 370 miles south of the US border, the USDA mentioned in an announcement late on Wednesday. The company ordered the closure of livestock commerce via southern ports of entry to maintain out the flesh-eating parasite, simply days after USDA allowed imports to renew at a port of entry in Arizona.
“It looks like it is positively advancing northward in a rush, which could be very regarding,” mentioned Ross Baldwin, hedge strategist for AgMarket.Internet.
The US sometimes imports over one million cattle from Mexico yearly. The halt will contribute to rising beef costs by tightening cattle provides, which dwindled after drought compelled ranchers to slash herds, analysts mentioned.
Baldwin mentioned he didn’t anticipate USDA to reopen the border this yr and apprehensive it is just a matter of time earlier than screwworm reaches the USA.
CME August dwell cattle futures reached a contract excessive of 222.500 cents per pound earlier than pulling again to shut down 0.55 cent at 219.225 cents per pound.
August feeder cattle ended up 0.8 cent at 321.275 cents per pound and earlier set a contract excessive at 326.875 cents. That was a file for a front-month contract on a continuation chart.
Futures pared good points attributable to technical promoting and revenue taking, merchants mentioned.
US wholesale boxed beef costs fell for a second day. Selection cuts slid $1.79 to $384.66 per hundredweight (cwt), in keeping with USDA knowledge.
Analysts mentioned US President Donald Trump’s plan for a 50% tariff on items from Brazil, set to take impact August 1, will seemingly elevate costs for the meat utilized in American hamburgers.
Within the pork market, CME August lean hogs ended down 1 cent at 106.225 cents per pound.
