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Meat buyers in Mexico are feeling better about NAFTA

While the pace of NAFTA negotiations has recently accelerated, it’s still unclear when an agreement might be reached.

But U.S. Meat Export Federation Mexico director Oscar Ferrara says U.S. red meat customers in Mexico are feeling more optimistic than at the beginning of the talks.

“Our customers in Mexico are more secure about the future the NAFTA negotiations,” Ferrara says. “They see signs from both sides that are very positive. These types of signs are creating an optimistic environment.”

While the U.S. is Mexico’s main supplier of imported red meat, Ferraro says the market has definitely captured the attention of major competitors.

“During the last six months they’ve sent teams to Argentina, looking for options for poultry. They’ve also sent teams to Brazil and Chile,” he says. “And they are about to finish the negotiations with the EU on a free trade agreement.”

Ferraro says he’s working to reassure the Mexicans that USMEF will be there no matter what happens with NAFTA.