US Halts Avocado Imports from Michoacan After Threats to USDA

Following recent incidents involving threats and aggression toward US Department of Agriculture (USDA) agents, the United States has suspended avocado imports from Mexico, specifically targeting Michoacan, the country's largest avocado producer.

This suspension is expected to severely impact the local economy, with estimates suggesting daily losses of approximately US$7.5 million for producers in the state. The broader implications include disruptions in supply chains, increased packaging costs, and potential shifts in market destinations such as Canada or Japan, leading to higher operational expenses and logistical challenges.

“At the United States Embassy, our main priority is to protect our personnel throughout the country. To ensure the safety of our agricultural inspection teams, APHIS has suspended avocado and mango inspections in Michoacan until these security issues have been resolved,” said Ken Salazar, in a communication from the US Embassy.

Salazar underscored that the decision to suspend inspections is strictly related to concerns over the safety of USDA personnel and is not based on phytosanitary issues. He reassured that inspections in other Mexican states continue unaffected and that existing avocado shipments are not halted, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing trade activities.

Negotiations are ongoing between Mexican authorities, represented by the Association of Avocado Producers, Packers, and Exporters of Mexico (APEAM), and US agricultural officials. 

In response to these developments, Michoacan Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla expressed confidence that avocado exports could resume before the end of the week. He provided context to the incidents, noting that the US inspectors were accosted and detained while performing their duties, highlighting the challenges faced by agricultural oversight personnel in tense situations. Ramírez Bedolla told Radio Fórmula that the incident occurred during a protest in Paracho, where a vehicle carrying two inspectors was stopped but quickly released unharmed.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Michoacan, Mexico's leading avocado producer, constantly faces security challenges due to organized crime controlling much of the 'green gold' trade. In 2023, the United States imported a record 2.78 billion pounds of fresh avocados, with 89% coming from Mexico. Fresh avocado imports totaled nearly US$3 billion dollars last year, ranking second in US fresh produce import value after tomatoes.