U.S.D.A. Suspends Avocado Inspections in Mexico, Citing Security Concerns

The United States Agriculture Department has decided to halt inspections of avocados and mangos imported from Mexico due to security concerns for agency workers. The suspension will remain in place until further notice, as stated by the U.S.D.A. on Monday.

While produce that has already been cleared for export will not be impacted, the avocado supplies in the United States, primarily sourced from Michoacán, Mexico, could potentially face shortages if the inspections are not resumed.

A U.S.D.A. spokesperson mentioned that the inspections will stay paused until a review of the security situation is conducted and appropriate protocols and safeguards are put in place.

The reason behind the security concerns was not disclosed by the agency. However, recent reports from Mexican news outlets indicated that two U.S.D.A. inspectors were unlawfully detained at a checkpoint operated by community members. In Michoacán, Indigenous communities have established security patrols to protect themselves from criminal groups.

The United States Embassy in Mexico confirmed that the inspectors are no longer in detention.

Julio Sahagún Calderón, the president of Mexico’s association of avocado producers and packers (APEAM), explained that the interruption in avocado exports from Michoacán was unrelated to the avocado industry. APEAM is actively collaborating with Mexican and U.S. authorities to resume avocado inspections from Michoacán.

“Without inspections, there can be no exports,” emphasized Lupita Mirón, a spokesperson for APEAM.

This is not the first time U.S. safety inspectors have faced security threats in Michoacán, where residents are caught in the crossfire of drug cartel conflicts.

In 2022, the U.S. temporarily blocked avocado imports from Mexico after a safety inspector received a verbal threat. The ban was lifted shortly after Mexico implemented additional safety measures for U.S.D.A. inspectors.

In addition to drug trade disputes, cartels are also trying to infiltrate the legal economy, particularly the lucrative avocado industry, driven by the high demand for avocados in the U.S.

Avocado orchards and packing houses exporting to the United States must be certified by both Mexican authorities and U.S.D.A. inspectors.

The U.S.D.A. is dedicated to resuming inspections promptly, ensuring that avocados and mangos currently in transit are not affected by the suspension as they have already undergone the inspection process.

The popularity of avocados has raised environmental concerns in Mexico, leading to the expansion of avocado orchards in protected areas, causing deforestation and water depletion.

A report by Climate Rights International highlighted that over 50,000 avocado orchards in Michoacán had been certified for export to the U.S. by March 2023.