Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Sonora Ready to Resume Livestock Exports”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
The president of the Sonora Regional Livestock Union (UGRS), Juan Carlos Ochoa Valenzuela, expressed confidence that the export of livestock to the United States will resume soon, as the state remains free of the New World screwworm pest that caused the border closure.
During a meeting with members of the Cancún Roundtable, he emphasized that Sonora maintains the sanitary conditions to send livestock as soon as the border reopens and expressed confidence it will be the first state to achieve this.
He specified that the state remains free of the screwworm and has stricter sanitary controls than other states in the country, which strengthens confidence in reactivating exports, particularly through the fully operational quarantine station in Agua Prieta.
“The situation in Sonora has been calm. Security has improved and we have seen it; we are happy, although there are points where we still cannot declare victory. It is an issue that will remain on the table,” he said.
He lamented that in the year the border has been closed to live cattle, 1.2 million Sonoran calves have been prevented from crossing to the neighboring country, as during the season up to four thousand animals crossed daily through Nogales and Agua Prieta.
He acknowledged that both Mexico and the United States face the risk of the screwworm's presence due to the mobility of warm-blooded animals and the movement of the fly that transmits the pest.
On another topic, regarding the upcoming Expogan Sonora 2026, attendance is expected to exceed 600,000 visitors with an economic impact of over 15 million pesos, part of which will be allocated to the Sonora DIF system.
He noted that security measures have been reinforced to ensure a family-friendly environment, with the participation of municipal and state corporations, to offer a safe experience for attendees.
Finally, Ochoa Valenzuela ruled out running for mayor of Agua Prieta or any other elected office, emphasizing that his commitment is to conclude his term at the head of the UGRS, which ends in two years.
Source: Read the original article | Published: April 09, 2026