Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The lucrative avocado trade between Mexico and the United States has come to an abrupt halt. Since June 15, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has blocked imports of Mexican avocados following an incident where two American inspectors were detained and assaulted by community members in Aranza, Michoacán. The inspectors were in the region to verify the quality of the avocados destined for export.
The Biden Administration swiftly acted, suspending all operations in Michoacán, as communicated to the Association of Avocado Exporters in Mexico last Friday evening. “As a result of the incident with our inspectors, on instructions from the regional security officer of the Embassy, it has been decided to suspend all operations in the State,” the notification read.
The US Government has also issued a security alert regarding Michoacán, advising US citizens to avoid travel to the State due to recent security incidents. The US State Department has categorized Michoacán with a level 4 alert, signaling a “do not travel” advisory due to the risks of crime and kidnappings. Other regions sharing this level of alert include Zacatecas, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, Guerrero, and Colima.
In the interim, the USDA has restricted the movement of Mexican avocados to the US, permitting only the unloading and storage of the fruit under strict supervision in cold rooms. The avocados, which represent a significant economic asset with profits exceeding $3 billion annually, can now only be directed to local markets or alternative international destinations such as Canada, Spain, and Japan.
Michoacán, Mexico’s premier avocado-producing state, witnessed a wave of protests last Friday, spearheaded by State Security Secretariat agents demanding bonus payments. Amid this unrest, the violent incident involving the American inspectors unfolded. To date, state authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the assault and the subsequent export blockage.
The avocado trade is a cornerstone of Michoacán’s economy, with over one million tons of the fruit shipped abroad each year. According to a USDA report, avocado exports last year reached 1.4 million tons, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. The United States remains the largest market for Mexican avocados, absorbing 81% of the exports, valued at $2.7 billion. Following the US are Canada, Japan, and Spain.
This year’s production forecast estimates a yield of 2.7 million tons of avocados. Michoacán contributes a substantial 73% of this production, followed by Jalisco with 12% and the State of Mexico with 5%. The growth in production over the past decade has been fueled by rising demand from the US and other international markets, alongside increasing domestic consumption.
This incident is not the first to disrupt the avocado trade between the US and Michoacán. In early 2022, a telephone threat against a US employee of the Agricultural Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prompted the US Government to halt avocado exports until security assurances were provided. That suspension caused significant turmoil among producers, necessitating intervention from Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla and US Ambassador Ken Salazar to resolve the crisis.
As the situation unfolds, both Mexican and US authorities are under pressure to address the security concerns and restore the critical trade flow of avocados.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The lucrative avocado trade between Mexico and the United States has come to an abrupt halt. Since June 15, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has blocked imports of Mexican avocados following an incident where two American inspectors were detained and assaulted by community members in Aranza, Michoacán. The inspectors were in the region to verify the quality of the avocados destined for export.