Canadian beef will be sold at 42 Mexican Costco locations, following a relationship-building trip by Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald. The trip also presents potential for Canadian products like pork and canola in the Mexican market.
Why it matters:Under the constant threat of tariffs from its largest trading partner, Canada must pivot to new markets like Mexico to keep the agriculture sector competitive.
MacDonald announced the launch of Canadian beef in the Mexican market alongside JBS Foods, Canada Beef and the Canadian Meat Council (CMC).
Read Also
Most of Manitoba harvest wraps up for 2025
Manitoba Agriculture issued its final crop report of 2025, showing the overall provincewide harvest at 97 per cent complete as of Oct. 20. Nearly all major crops have finished combining, with 37 per cent of Manitoba’s sunflowers finished, plus 71 per cent of grain corn and small amounts of soybeans and potatoes left to do.
The Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) lauded the announcement, saying in an Oct. 16 written release “Alberta beef is taking centre stage in Mexico’s retail market,” a market it said has been “long dominated by U.S. suppliers.”
The release states the partnership will result in approximately 20,000 tonnes of beef from the Brooks, Alta. plant shipped to stores in Mexico.
CMC Senior Director of Government Relations and Policy Lauren Martin said the meeting has opened up potential for more than just Alberta beef in Mexican Costcos.
“Both pork and beef, there’s a large consumer base there. So just based on economy alone, Mexico is an area of interest for us”
“This announcement is a culmination of a lot of work behind the scenes. So similarly, on the pork side … do we see the same potential for pork as for beef? Yeah.”
According to an Oct. 17 news release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), pork is one of Canada’s top exports to Mexico, along with Canola, wheat and beef.
Diversification key
Martin said the government should keep making similar efforts to diversify markets.
“The way Prime Minister Carney positioned this particular trade mission is an effort to diversify. And indeed, we did see some new customers, some new business relationships.”
Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) said in an interview with Glacier FarmMedia he also sees opportunities for Canadian commodities like pork, corn and other grains.
“Most of the corn that they bring into Mexico comes from the U.S., but given where the dollar is at and given where the trade tensions are, Mexico is certainly looking to Canada, and probably more specifically Ontario,” he said.
Currie also pointed to the significant milling industry in Mexico, which is already showing intrest in more Canadian imports: MacDonald’s trip saw Mexican milling company Groupo Trimex preparing to expand into processing Canadian exports of oats and canola.
Expansion opportunities
MacDonald also met with state organizations in Guadalajara to learn about expansion opportunities for Canadian oilseeds and with food manufacturer Oleomex, which reportedly plans to double its imports of Canadian Canola in the next three to five years.
Canola Council of Canada President Chris Davison said Mexico has been a top five market for Canadian canola for years, and the possibility of expanding further is exciting for the industry.
“There are a number of other factors that go into determining whether that’s realized or not, but it’s certainly encouraging,” Davison said. “It sends a message about the value that industry attaches to quality Canadian canola.” He added Mexico is a strong market not only for seed and oils, but for meal as feedstock as well.
Davison said having Mexico as a reliable customer is encouraging for a very export-focused market, especially amidst a year of trade threats from the U.S. and China, Canada’s top two canola export markets.
