The USDA announced Feb. 18 that its avocado inspection program in Michoacan, Mexico, has restarted and avocado exports to the U.S. have resumed.
The USDA, working closely with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico’s Regional Security Officer, Mexico’s national plant protection organization (SENASICA) and the Association of Avocado Producers and Packers Exporters of Mexico, or APEAM, has enacted additional measures that enhance safety for APHIS inspectors working in the field, following a threat made to an employee on February 11, according to the release.
“The safety of USDA employees simply doing their jobs is of paramount importance,” the USDA said in the release. “USDA is appreciative of the positive, collaborative relationship between the United States and Mexico that made resolution of this issue possible in a timely manner.”
Read related: Report: USDA, Mexican officials work on avocado security measures
In 2021, the U.S. imported $3.0 billion avocados globally, with $2.8 billion coming from Mexico (92%). In terms of volume, the U.S. imported 1.2 million metric tons of avocados, with 1.1 million coming from Mexico (89%). For the last full calendar year (2020) of available data, Mexico reported exports of avocados of $3.2 billion, of which 79% went to the U.S. In 2020 and 2021, approximately 80% of the avocados exported from Michoacan went to U.S. markets. The peak growing season for Mexican avocados is January through March, while the U.S production season for avocado fruit runs from April to September.
Mexico and the U.S. will continue working together to fortify the strong bilateral supply chains that promote economic growth and prosperity in both countries, the USDA said in the release.
Read related: How high can avocado prices go? And then, how low?
The International Fresh Produce Association praised the resolution of the security issue.
“We are grateful that both countries have come to a resolution so that the U.S. and Mexico can continue our positive trading relationship,” the IFPA said in a statement released to media last week. “IFPA looks forward to continuing to work with businesses on both sides of the border and their respective governments to continue to monitor and address these issues, so consumers can continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to fresh produce.”
The Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association in the U.S. praised the work by Mexican growers to help resolve the issue.
“We are extremely appreciative of the diligence and hard work of APEAM and all of the officials on the ground in Mexico to work together to develop a solution to this complex situation,” Ron Campbell, executive director at The Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association, said in a statement. “We are pleased that Mexico and the U.S. will continue working together to fortify the continuous supply chains that promote economic growth and development for this important industry in both countries.”
The group said that 8 in 10 avocados in the U.S. come from Mexico, with 2021 U.S. imports of Michoacan avocados totaling 2.4 billion pounds.
Original suspension: U.S. suspends Mexican avocado imports, a nearly $3B industry
