Mexico Tightens Standards for Agricultural Exports

The federal government announced the launch of a program aimed at ensuring that all of the country’s agricultural exports comply with labor and environmental regulations. The initiative will begin with the avocado supply chain, one of Mexico’s agri-food staples.  

The program's implementation will be a joint effort between the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), and Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), along with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). Following its initial application in avocado production, the initiative will be gradually extended to all agricultural products. Oversight will cover the entire production chain, from planting and crop management to harvesting, packaging, and exports.  

The project has three key objectives: to uphold the dignity and labor rights of agricultural workers, to ensure the sustainable use of the country’s natural resources, and to maintain a trade surplus without expanding the agricultural frontier. The government expects these measures to strengthen Mexico’s position in international markets, making it a global benchmark for sustainable and fair primary and agro-industrial production.  

Julio Berdegué, Minister, SADER, highlighted that while avocados are one of Mexico’s most important products for both domestic consumption and export, they also face challenges such as deforestation and informal labor. “President Claudia Sheinbaum has instructed us to work toward shared prosperity with social inclusion and environmental sustainability, ensuring better quality of life and productivity,” he stated.  

Marath Bolaños, Minister, STPS, noted that this program will help identify agricultural workplaces that comply with the obligations set by the Federal Labor Law, the National Employment Service regulations, and the Social Security Law. Compliance will become a mandatory requirement for agro-exporting companies.  

Similarly, Zoé Robledo, Director General, IMSS, emphasized the importance of ensuring that agricultural laborers and their families have full access to social security benefits, including medical and hospital care, disability or retirement pensions, survivor benefits, and soon, the right to enroll their children in Early Childhood Education and Care Centers (CECI).  

Robledo also highlighted the institution’s strong communication with agricultural workers. In this regard, he pointed to the construction of a new 90-bed hospital in Michoacan’s avocado-region in May 2024. The project involved an investment of over MX$1.1 billion (US$53.5 million).  

Regarding the initiative’s environmental aspects, Alicia Bárcena, Minister, SEMARNAT, stressed the importance of three key factors: preventing deforestation, promoting responsible water consumption, and reducing pesticide use. She also proposed the creation of a forest cover map with a 2018 baseline to assess the compatibility of agro-export activities with environmental conservation. “We are concerned about deforestation, but also about water consumption and the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals. We propose that SADER, SEMARNAT, CONABIO, and CONAFOR work together to develop a forest cover map,” she explained.  

Bárcena revealed that between 2018 and 2024, approximately 20,000ha were deforested to establish avocado orchards, some through intentional fires. She emphasized that avocado trees have a high water demand, meaning their uncontrolled expansion severely impacts regional ecosystems.  

Lázaro Cárdenas Batel, Head of the Office of the Presidency, stated that these measures are essential to strengthening the competitiveness and positioning of Mexican avocados in global markets. He noted that the program will gradually be extended to other agro-export industries that also require better labor and environmental regulation. Additionally, Cárdenas stressed that the private sector’s cooperation and willingness will be crucial for the plan’s successful implementation.  

Mexico is the world’s leading exporter of avocados, with approximately 80% of its production concentrated in the state of Michoacan. According to the agricultural trade balance report from August 2024, avocados ranked as the country’s fourth most important agricultural export, reflecting a 16% year-over-year increase, equivalent to US$2.3 billion, trailing only beer, tequila, and beef.  

The first half of the year is particularly significant for the avocado industry, with high export volumes to the United States, the fruit’s largest buyer, driven by demand for Super Bowl and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. According to the Association of Avocado Producers and Exporting Packers From Mexico (APEAM), more than 110,000t are expected to be shipped this year for the sporting event, which will take place on Feb. 9, 2025.