US Fully Resumes Imports of Mexican Avocado

The US government on Thursday announced the full resumption of activities required to import avocados from Michoacan, following a weeklong suspension of inspections over a security alert. The move restores the inspections required by US authorities at avocado orchards and packing facilities before shipments can enter the US market and follows the deployment of more than 1,500 Mexican military and National Guard personnel to avocado-producing areas.

Michoacan is Mexico’s leading avocado-producing state and produces around 2Mt of avocados annually. The suspension raised concerns over potential disruptions to a key supply chain for the US market, where Mexican avocados represent a major source of supply.

The US suspended inspection activities on Aug. 5 after identifying a “threat against US interests” in Michoacan. Inspections partially resumed on Aug. 8 in parts of the state’s avocado-producing region before the US government announced the full resumption on Thursday.

US Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson credited the Mexican government for the security measures and coordination that enabled the restart. “I recognize the Government of Mexico, particularly its Security Cabinet, for the actions and close coordination that made this full resumption possible efficiently. We will continue to monitor security conditions and adjust our operations as appropriate. Our priority remains the safety of US personnel and the people of Michoacan,” Johnson said in a statement.

The security alert came against a backdrop of violence and organized crime in Michoacan, where authorities have reported murders of public officials and extortion targeting agricultural producers. A Michoacan government official previously told Reuters that authorities believed the alert may have been triggered by violence following the arrest of alleged cartel leader Alfonso Fernandez. The official also said authorities had received unconfirmed reports that a US Department of Agriculture inspector may have been threatened.

Mexico has responded by reinforcing security in the avocado-producing region. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the government would deploy more than 1,500 soldiers and National Guard personnel to Michoacan to protect US inspectors and support the continuity of avocado exports. Mexican authorities also announced the arrest of 12 people accused of extortion this week.

On Thursday, Omar García, Minister of Security and Citizen Protection, and Ricardo Trevilla, Minister of Defense, met with avocado producers and industry representatives at the XXI Military Zone in Morelia to follow up on security measures in the region. The meeting was held behind closed doors and focused on monitoring security actions following the suspension and subsequent resumption of US inspections.

According to federal authorities, the meeting formed part of the permanent coordination of the Government of Mexico to protect producers, workers, packing facilities and personnel responsible for sanitary inspections, as well as to guarantee security conditions for the development of this productive activity.

Avocado producers and the Association of Producers and Packers Exporters of Avocados of Mexico (APEAM) have maintained direct communication with federal authorities following the recent export disruption caused by organized crime threats and the subsequent restart of US inspections.

Producers in the region have also raised concerns over alleged extortion schemes involving state authorities through the Forest Guardian surveillance system. These claims add another layer to the security and regulatory challenges facing Michoacan’s avocado industry.