Mexico Certifies Avocado Regions as Pest-Free Zones

Avocado-producing localities were declared pest-free zones, strengthening the country’s phytosanitary status and reinforcing its position as the world’s leading avocado exporter.

Several avocado-producing municipalities in the states of Michoacan, Puebla, Morelos, State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Guerrero, Jalisco, Colima, and Sonora have been declared free of the large and small avocado seed borers, as well as the avocado seed moth, by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER). These pests are monitored under the Campaign Against Regulated Avocado Pests, which has been active since 1996.

The main goal of this initiative, led by the National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), is to preserve pest-free zones and reduce infestation levels to improve the phytosanitary conditions of Mexico’s avocado-growing regions. These parasites can affect different stages of the fruit and the tree. Adult insects damage shoots, flowers, and young fruits, while larvae bore into the pulp and seed, causing blemishes, premature fruit drop, and loss of commercial quality. In severe infestations, they can cause branch wilting, yield reduction, and render fruits unsuitable for consumption.

Avocado-producing areas in Michoacan, Puebla, Jalisco, and Guanajuato renewed their pest-free status. Additionally, three localities in Michoacan, six in Sonora, four in Jalisco, one in Colima and one agroecological zone in Tlalnepantla, Morelos, were declared pest-free for the first time.

SADER explained that to assess avocado-producing areas, plant health specialists carried out field sampling and confirmed that the regions are free of risk, verifying compliance with official phytosanitary regulations for establishing and recognizing pest-free zones, as well as for the phytosanitary management and transport of avocados.

According to the ministry, this declaration strengthens the sector, as most of the localities correspond to the renewal of 2023 pest-free certifications, which enabled the export of 1.3Mt, primarily to the United States. These exports benefited 56,657 producers and reinforced Mexico’s position as the world’s leading avocado exporter.

To maintain their pest-free status, producers must follow official phytosanitary measures, including documenting epidemiological surveillance activities. The certification is valid for 24 months, during which technicians will evaluate sampling results. If the status is maintained, the declaration will be renewed and republished.

Mexico remains the world’s leading producer and exporter of avocados. Nationally, Michoacan and Jalisco lead production, contributing 75.8% and 10.9% respectively in 2023. That same year, 41.1% of national production was exported, ainly to the United States with 85.5%, followed by Canada with 7.7%, Japan with 2.4%, and Spain with 2%.

During that period, avocado production reached a historic high of 2.97Mt, harvested from a total area of 253,309 ha. This performance positioned avocado as the second most important crop in Mexico for its contribution to the value of primary agricultural production, following corn.