Mexican pork market reports hurdles importing US product after Aujeszky's outbreak

Mexican pork market participants said they are facing hurdles in importing certain US pork products after an outbreak of Aujeszky's disease was reported in Iowa, as the documentation required to carry out import activities is unavailable, while the US Meat Export Federation said some volumes have been unable to enter the country.

One US-based trader and one Mexican importer said that the removal of the Zoosanitary Requirement Sheets (HRZ) from the official Zoosanitary Import Requirements Consultation Module website, operated by Mexico's National Service of Health, Food Safety, and Quality, or Senasica, didn't allow them to complete import procedures for certain pork products, including trimmings and variety meats. This followed an outbreak of Aujeszky's disease, or pseudorabies, which was detected in a commercial herd in Iowa.

"We cannot import these items right now because the HRZ are no longer available on the Senasica site," the importer said. "Without them, the import process cannot be completed."

The Regional Livestock Union of Pork Producers of Sonora (UGRPS), a leading Mexican pork producers' association, said that Senasica "suspended imports" of breeding pigs, porcine semen, offal, and byproducts from the US. The association said that the measure is "proportional, aligned with international standards, and does not affect pork muscle cuts or pose a risk to human health."

A representative of the USMEF said that since May 4, exporters haven't been able to send some products to Mexico.

"Since Monday morning, US exporters have had loads of certain products unable to clear into Mexico. Importantly, the restrictions do not impact pork muscle cuts. However, pork byproducts such as skins and offal have been unable to clear due to Mexico's precautionary restrictions," the representative told Platts.

The USMEF is "optimistic" that further guidance from the US Department of Agriculture will be available soon, and that "Mexico will act in accordance with World Organization for Animal Health guidelines," the representative said. Senasica's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The disruption began when the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) announced on April 30 that routine testing had detected pseudorabies virus antibodies in a small commercial pig unit in Hardin County, Iowa. The diagnosis was confirmed by National Veterinary Services Laboratories using ELISA and latex agglutination tests.

Further investigation revealed that five infected boars had been moved from an outdoor facility in Texas, where contact with feral pigs -- an endemic reservoir for the virus in the US -- was presumed. APHIS noted this was the first case detected in a commercial herd since 2004, the year the US declared the disease eradicated from its formal industry.

In response, US authorities, in coordination with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Texas Animal Health Commission, launched epidemiological tracing and containment measures. APHIS reported that movement controls and tracing were implemented to prevent further spread, in line with established protocols.

According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Mexico is the largest importer of US pork with about 2.4 million metric tons in 2024 and 2025, and products such as uterus, stomach, hides, head, and snout are widely used in the local market. Market participants note that other origins of these products have decreased this year, further limiting supply options.

So far, prices in Mexico have not been affected, but traders warn that continued obstacles could lead to supply shortages and higher prices.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed Frozen Pork Loin EXW US Midwest at $1.36/lb or $2,998.29/mt on May 7, delivered Midwest for 16-30 days forward, unchanged from May 6 but down 10 cents/lb from the previous week.