WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced last Friday that avocado exports from Mexico to the United States (U.S.) have resumed.
APHIS, 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 (APEAM) have enacted additional measures that enhance safety for APHIS’ inspectors working in the field, following a Feb. 11 threat made to an employee.
In 2021, the U.S. imported $3.0 billion avocados globally, with $2.8 billion coming from Mexico (92%). The U.S. imported 1.2 million metric tons of avocados, with 1.1 million coming from Mexico (89%). Mexico reported in 2020 exports of avocados were $3.2 billion, of which 79% went to the United States. In 2020 and 2021, approximately 80% of the avocados exported from Michoacán, Mexico went to U.S. markets. The peak growing season for avocado in Mexico is January through March. The U.S. production season for avocado fruit lasts from April to September.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
