Alberta beef has now made its way to Costco locations in Mexico. Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald participated in a ribbon-cutting event at a Costco store in an upscale area near Mexico City. MacDonald expressed optimism about the partnership between JBS Canada and Costco Mexico, which has resulted in approximately 20,000 tonnes of Alberta beef being supplied to 41 Costco outlets across Mexico.
Salvador Hernandez, director for JBS Mexico, highlighted the significance of the deal, stating that it has opened up a new market for Canadian beef in Mexico, traditionally dominated by U.S. beef. The agreement, which took about a year to finalize, involved showcasing the processing plant in Brooks, Alberta, to Costco Mexico officials.
In addition to Alberta beef, Costco Mexico also offers other Canadian products like maple syrup, rolled oats, ice wine, and chicken nuggets. The store reported selling around $60,000 US (or $84,000 Canadian) worth of Canadian goods weekly.
Furthermore, following a meeting between Minister MacDonald and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Julio Berdegué Sacristán, Mexico announced the lifting of an 18-month ban on Canadian pet foods made with bovine meal. This move aims to allow Mexican families access to high-quality Canadian pet foods.
Discussions between the officials also touched on the introduction of digital phytosanitary certificates to streamline the trade of organic products such as wheat and canola. MacDonald emphasized the importance of fostering business relationships and diversifying trade opportunities between Canada and Mexico. MacDonald’s visit to Mexico includes a series of meetings and engagements in Guadalajara, Jalisco, until the end of the week.