The US has suspended government activities in Mexico’s Michoacan state, including avocado inspections, due to an unspecified threat against American interests. This move could potentially delay avocado exports from the state to the US.
Impact on Avocado Exports
The suspension will disrupt the work of US Department of Agriculture personnel who inspect avocado exports to the US, according to Michoacan Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla. A USDA spokesperson stated that any produce requiring onsite approval that hasn’t completed the process isn’t eligible for importation.
Mexico’s avocado producers’ association, APEAM, noted that only avocados received on Tuesday in the presence of the USDA will be processed. The association added that each packing plant must evaluate and make operational decisions regarding harvesting during this time.
Security Concerns
The suspension comes as security forces are carrying out operations against extortion in the state. Cartels regularly extort producers in protection schemes, according to a 2024 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
Michoacan’s Public Security Secretary José Antonio Cruz Medina met with USDA representatives to review a request for more security measures for US personnel. The civil guard will boost operations in the region to protect the public.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
