Sterile Fly Plant in Mexico Aims to Restore US Cattle Imports

The new sterile fly production facility in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas, is expected to help Mexico regain access to the US cattle market by combating the screwworm pest. The plant, which started operations on June 28, 2026, aims to produce 100 million sterile flies per week by the end of 2026 Source: infobae.

Plant Details

The facility is the second of its kind globally, after the one in Pacora, Panama. It received its first biological material on June 30, and initial production of 28 million flies per week is expected by mid-July Source: heraldomx. The goal is to reach 100 million flies per week from this plant alone, with Panama contributing another 100 million, totaling 200 million per week by late October Source: heraldomx. The project cost $57 million and is staffed by Mexican scientists developing local fly strains to reduce dependence on Panama Source: infobae.

Border Reopening

The screwworm reappeared in Mexico at the end of 2024 after being eradicated in 1991, leading the US to impose temporary restrictions on Mexican cattle imports, causing significant economic losses. Officials believe a successful sterile fly program will restore confidence and allow the border to reopen Source: infobae. The strategy involves dispersing flies from northern Mexico southward to push the pest back to the Darién Gap Source: heraldomx.

Key Points

• The plant began operations on June 28, 2026, in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas.
• Investment: $57 million.
• Production target: 100 million sterile flies per week from this plant by end of 2026; combined with Panama, 200 million per week by October.
• The pest causes larvae to feed on live tissue of cattle and other warm-blooded animals.
• US restrictions were imposed in late 2024/early 2025, with losses for the livestock sector.