The first shipment of Arizona cattle bound for slaughter in Sonora arrived in Hermosillo last week.
Nearly 70 head of cattle were sent in the inaugural trip, roughly two years after Arizona and Sonora started working together to ease their export for slaughter. Before the new streamlined process was put in place, long waits at the border for inspections made the Hermosillo facility a nonviable option.
“It opens up a new market,” said Billy Elkins, Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association president. “It’s more economical, it’s closer there to Hermosillo than to any other plant in California or Texas.”
He said Arizona ranchers will start with about 100 head a week, but that could grow over time.
“It’s an exciting time for us,” Elkins added.
Some of the harvested beef will be sold in Mexico, and some will be returned to the U.S. market.
