Secretary Rollins Leads Largest USDA Trade Mission to Mexico to Review Screwworm Outlook

usda logo.png

Washington, D.C. (USDA, November 13, 2025)– Last week in Mexico City, Mexico, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins led the largest U.S. Department of Agriculture agribusiness trade mission in the history of our country. During the mission to Mexico, 41 U.S. businesses, 33 cooperators and agriculture advocacy groups, six state departments of agriculture, and 150 participants conducted more than 500 business-to-business meetings over three days. This was a critical opportunity for American businesses to further trade ties and for the USDA to continue its aggressive response to New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico and continue to hold Mexico accountable for its commitments to the 1944 Water Treaty.

“The trading and diplomatic relationship between our two countries is of the utmost importance to President Trump and American farmers and ranchers. Whether it is securing the Southern Border from illegal migration, combating New World Screwworm, or expanding market access for American agricultural products, we are working every day to put American interests first. I thank President Claudia Sheinbaum for welcoming me to the Presidential Palace where we had a productive and positive conversation about how we will continue to work closely together to eradicate the NWS which is negatively impacting both our economies, including conducting a comprehensive joint review of our NWS response and efforts to ensure enforcement of our joint responsibilities in the 1944 water treaty,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “This week was an incredible opportunity to connect buyers and sellers with over 500 meetings over three days, pushing for American exports into Mexico’s ethanol market, and discuss the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.”

In addition to participating in this trade mission, Secretary Rollins met with the team at Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) Headquarters NWS Control Room to showcase bilateral efforts to combat the spread of NWS in Mexico. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins accompanied Secretary Rollins on the trip and visited the State of Chiapas to review NWS containment practices and enforcement.

Secretary Rollins and Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg visited a Walmart Super Center in Mexico City and Bimbo Bakery, both major importers of U.S. products for use in their operations. Grupo Bimbo imported nearly $400 million in U.S. ingredients in 2024, including wheat, dairy, eggs, potatoes, and nuts.

The American delegation was joined by Chanel Tewalt, Director of Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Sherry Vinton, Director of Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Derek Sandison, Director of Washington State Department of Agriculture, and officials from the California, Tennessee, and Wisconsin state departments of agriculture.

Mexico was the top market for U.S. agricultural exports in 2024, with shipments valued at $30.2 billion. Consumer-oriented products, including meat and meat products, dairy, processed food, fruits, and beverages, constituted nearly 50 percent of that trade, with a value of $14.6 billion. Bulk commodity exports to Mexico accounted for one-third of all agricultural shipments, valued at $10.0 billion, led by corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, and pulses.

###

Press release provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Related Stories
Corn and wheat inspections outpaced last year, but soybean movement remains seasonally active yet behind, keeping basis and freight dynamics in focus by corridor.
Lawmakers are pressing for answers on how Washington’s “managed trade” approach — keeping leverage through long-term tariffs — will affect farmers, global markets, and future export opportunities.
Bioethanol is becoming a global standard. For growers, that boom comes as drops in Mississippi River levels and in soybean demand occur in tandem, leaving barge space for corn and wheat.
Expect firm calf and fed-cattle prices — pair selective heifer retention with prudent hedging and liquidity to bridge rebuilding costs.
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
“USDA can no longer keep wasting its time and personnel to deploy Commissioner Miller’s infamous traps, which USDA has deployed, tested, and has proven ineffective.”
“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”
Large animal veterinarian Dr. Rosalyn Biggs with Oklahoma State University warns producers may not be prepared for the real threat of New World Screwworm.
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.

Agriculture Shows
From the rapid technological advances in the business of farming to the policy that helps shape the industry, growers get unparalleled perspective from these guys. Max Armstrong, Mike Pearson and Greg Soulje: the names producers have long known and trusted for agriculture news, weather, and commentary.
Watch Rural Evening News to catch up on that day’s news surrounding agriculture and markets from across the world. Along with market news, our news staff will bring you news stories covering topics including auctions, cattle, farm equipment, ranch, real estate, and much more!
Every day, “Market Day Report” delivers “live” coverage of agri-business news, weather, and commodity market information from across the world. Our market coverage is constantly updated every half-hour, bringing you the latest on the markets.
Farm Monitor shines a light on Southeastern agriculture and is the only weekly news and information program dedicated to Georgia’s largest and most important industry: agriculture.
Check out FFA Today, a fun and fast-paced show featuring fascinating stories about amazing kids and unique agriculture industries.