Alberta beef has made its way to local Costco stores in Mexico. Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a Costco store near Mexico City, showcasing a variety of Alberta beef cuts. MacDonald expressed optimism about the partnership between JBS Canada and Costco Mexico, which has resulted in the shipment of around 20,000 tonnes of beef from Brooks, Alberta, to 41 Costco locations in Mexico.
Salvador Hernandez, director for JBS Mexico, highlighted the significance of the Costco deal in providing Canadian beef with a new market opportunity in Mexico, traditionally dominated by U.S. beef. The agreement, which took about a year to finalize, involved showcasing the processing plant in Brooks to Costco Mexico officials, according to Claudia Herrera-Blanc, senior director for Mexico and Latin America for Canada Beef.
Canadian beef products, including Alberta prime beef, maple syrup, rolled oats, ice wine, and chicken nuggets, can now be found on Costco Mexico shelves. The announcement comes as a boost for Canadian producers, following a meeting between MacDonald and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristán. During the meeting, Mexico announced the lifting of a ban on imports of Canadian pet foods made with bovine meal, aiming to provide Mexican families with high-quality Canadian pet food products.
In addition to beef and pet food, discussions between MacDonald and his Mexican counterpart also included plans to introduce digital phytosanitary certificates to streamline the trade of organic products like wheat and canola. MacDonald emphasized the importance of building relationships and diversifying trade opportunities between Canada and Mexico.
MacDonald’s visit to Mexico involves a series of meetings, including a trip to Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, scheduled until Friday.
