US reopens Arizona cattle crossing from Mexico as economists doubt quick beef price drop

The United States reopened a border crossing in Douglas, Arizona, to cattle from Mexico on Monday as part of an effort to ease record beef prices, though economists told the Associated Press they doubt shoppers will feel a quick change.

The Agriculture Department said screwworm concerns had eased enough to allow cattle movement at the Arizona crossing southeast of Phoenix. Officials hope to reopen New Mexico and Texas crossings later. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the Sonora border was open for livestock Monday.

President Donald Trump also announced Friday that up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef could enter tariff-free for 90 days at below-market prices. The White House has said the earlier cattle halt was needed to contain New World screwworm but worsened a U.S. slaughter-cattle shortage.

Oklahoma State University agribusiness professor Derrell Peel said the administration has strong incentive to show action on high beef prices. Because the USDA plans a phased reopening, he said Mexican imports will take months to approach prior levels. Mexico traditionally supplied about 1.1 million head, roughly 3 percent of U.S. cattle. Peel said he expects no measurable near-term effect on cattle or beef prices.

The U.S. herd stood at 86.2 million head on Jan. 1, the lowest in 75 years. Average ground beef rose from $4.39 to $6.89 a pound from July 2021 to July 2026, about 57 percent, while overall food prices rose about 25 percent. Uncooked steak hit a record $13.06 a pound in July.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Sonora and Chihuahua have stronger animal-health programs and that each animal will be inspected before crossing. Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman called the approach careful and science-based. Drought and years of low cattle prices helped shrink herds, Texas A&M economist David Anderson said.