America’s Beef Shortage: How the Mexico Cattle Crisis Threatens Your Dinner Table
Hereford cattle graze on the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory near Miles City, MT. USDA photo by Keith Weller
American families are beginning to see some relief at the grocery store as prices for everyday items like eggs, bread, fruits, and vegetables begin to decline. However, the cost of beef — a dinner table staple — is climbing sharply, with ground beef, steaks, and ribs increasingly priced out of reach for many households. The cause: a serious disruption in cattle imports from Mexico.
Each year, the United States typically imports around one million head of feeder cattle from Mexico — young animals that are raised and fattened domestically before being processed for beef. But in 2025, that pipeline has slowed to a near halt due to an outbreak of a dangerous livestock parasite.
The culprit is the New World Screwworm, a fast-spreading parasite discovered in southern Mexico. To prevent its spread into the U.S., federal authorities have imposed strict restrictions on live cattle imports. Border ports in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico that once processed thousands of animals are now largely inactive.
As a result, the U.S. beef supply is tightening. The Department of Agriculture projects a 10% increase in beef prices this year, with even sharper rises expected for certain cuts. For consumers, this means higher prices for everyday meals — and tough choices at the checkout line.
Beyond short-term supply chain issues, the crisis is exposing long-standing vulnerabilities in the U.S. cattle industry. America’s domestic herd is now at its smallest level in 70 years, and the recent overreliance on foreign cattle imports has left the country more exposed than ever to external shocks.
To address the crisis, experts are urging U.S. and Mexican authorities to collaborate quickly to contain and eliminate the screwworm outbreak. Accelerating the safe inspection and movement of healthy cattle across the border could help ease the supply crunch. At the same time, renewed investment in America’s cattle industry — including reduced regulations and lower feed costs — is seen as essential to rebuilding domestic herds and securing long-term food resilience.
The broader message: food security is national security. As beef prices rise and supply chains strain, ensuring American families can continue to put food on the table is becoming a pressing policy priority.
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