And while a sluggish economy and weak peso have made Mexico a tough market in 2010, weekly beef sales data from August suggest signs of improvement. 

Mexico's economy has been slow to rebound from the global financial crisis that initially took hold in late 2008, said Chad Russell, a regional USMEF director based in Mexico City. But early indications of a strengthening economy and improvement in consumer confidence are emerging. Despite trade issues between the U.S. and Mexico, Russell said, the business environment in Mexico remains quite good for U.S. beef in terms of market access.

-- USMEF news release