Mexico to export beef to Japan

TOKYO, July 12 (UPI) -- Japan will begin importing $250 million worth of beef from Mexico, Japanese government officials announced.

Japan has stopped importing beef from the United States, Canada, and the European Union since the outbreak of mad cow disease. The bulk of imported beef to Japan currently comes from Australia.

Mexico's agreement with Japan marks the beginning of Mexican beef exporters expanding into the lucrative Asian market. Mexico made its first shipment of beef to South Korea in January, soon after a U.S. cow was found infected with mad cow disease.