Alberta Beef Finds a New Home in Costco Mexico
Canadian beef producers have scored a notable victory in Mexico, where Alberta beef is now gracing the shelves of Costco stores. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held in front of a cooler stocked with porterhouse, New York prime, and other cuts, marked a milestone as Canada expands its beef footprint into a market long dominated by U.S. imports. The move is part of a broader push to diversify North American beef trade under the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
How the Deal Was Forged
The arrangement comes after a year-long effort by JBS Canada to bring Costco Mexico officials to Brooks, Alberta, to inspect a Brooks processing plant. The agreement, backed by JBS Canada and Costco Mexico, is now delivering about 20,000 tonnes of beef processed in Brooks to 41 Costco locations across Mexico. This initiative positions Alberta beef as a “new frontier” in a market that has traditionally looked to the United States for its beef supply, according to Salvador Hernandez, director for JBS Mexico.
Market Significance for Canada
Fresh, boneless beef is Canada’s fourth-largest export to Mexico. The Costco collaboration underscores the importance of Canada’s access under CUSMA, helping Canadian producers tap a significant consumer base. Claudia Herrera-Blanc, senior director for Mexico and Latin America for Canada Beef, noted that Costco’s emphasis on quality has long been a goal for Canadian exporters, and the partnership demonstrates that premium Canadian beef can meet Mexico’s high standards.
Beyond Beef: Canadian Goods in Costco Mexico
Alberta prime isn’t the only Canadian product making waves in Costco Mexico. The retailer already carries maple syrup, rolled oats, ice wine, and chicken nuggets. A store official estimated that Canadian products sold at the site generate about $60,000 USD per week, underscoring a growing appetite for Canadian food products in Mexico.
Broader Trade Implications and Future Plans
Canada is pursuing a broader set of trade opportunities in Mexico, including pet foods and organic products. After a productive meeting between Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, the Mexican cabinet announced the lifting of an 18-month ban on imports of Canadian pet foods made with bovine meal. MacDonald emphasized that the dialogue also touched on digital phytosanitary certificates for organic commodities like wheat and canola, a step that could streamline cross-border shipments and reduce delays.
What This Means for Consumers and Producers
For Mexican shoppers, the presence of Alberta beef at Costco offers greater variety and potential price competition in a market with strong demand for imported meat. For Canadian producers, the Costco platform provides a visible, scalable channel to reach a large urban customer base and strengthen the reliability of Canada’s beef supply to North American markets.
On the Ground in Mexico
As Minister MacDonald continues his Mexico tour, including a planned visit to Guadalajara in Jalisco, the ongoing discussions reflect a strategic push to diversify trade relations beyond the United States. The cooperation signals a broader commitment to building resilient supply chains that can weather regional fluctuations and grow through diplomacy and practical logistics improvements.
In short, Alberta beef entering Costco Mexico marks a meaningful step for Canadian agriculture: more routes to market, stronger cross-border ties, and a template for how export markets can evolve through alignment with trade agreements and retailer partnerships.
