Comparative Advantage and Labor Issues in the Livestock and Meat Industry in Mexico and the U.S

Abstract

Introduction This paper discusses factors affecting livestock production and labor use in North American livestock and meat markets. Part One considers the comparative advantage of livestock production with particular focus on cattle and beef in Mexico relative to the U.S. Some aspects of the discussion will consider pork and poultry production as well and some of the implications will apply to Canada relative to Mexico as well. Part Two is an overview of labor use in livestock markets and will focus primarily on the demand for labor in U.S. livestock and meat industries. This section will also include consideration of the cultural and economic factors influencing the supply of Mexican labor available for agricultural production in the U.S., with specific focus on Mexican labor use in livestock and meat production in the U.S.