After a short suspension, the United States announced on Friday February 18 that it had resumed imports of avocados from the state of Michoacan, in western Mexico. The latter had been suspended on February 11 because of a threat against an American inspector.
The American Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis), “In close collaboration with the Regional Security Officer of the United States Embassy in Mexico, the Mexican National Plant Protection Organization and the Association of Avocado Producers and Packers-Exporters have adopted additional measures that improve the safety of Aphis inspectors working in the field”the United States Department of Agriculture said in a statement.
The US Inspection Service had announced the suspension, ” until further notice “, inspection activities of lawyers in Michoacan. The decision came after one of the agency’s officials, which inspects export shipments in the city of Uruapan, “received a threatening call on his official mobile phone”said the Mexican agency that oversees agricultural exports.
Wasted Super Bowl opportunity
The governor of Michoacan, Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla, had contacted the United States Embassy in Mexico City on Sunday to seek a solution and resume exports. Michoacan is the largest avocado producer in the world, with 85% of its harvest exported to the United States. But it is also one of the Mexican states hardest hit by violence linked to organized crime, which also targets avocado producers, victims of theft, assault and extortion.
In 2019, the United States warned that it was considering suspending purchases of Mexican avocados due to the security situation in the country. The suspension had taken a particular turn because it was decided on the eve of the United States National Football League championship match, a key marketing opportunity for Mexican avocado producers. Guacamole is, indeed, a staple Super Bowl appetizer.
In 2021, the United States imported 3 billion dollars (2.64 billion euros) of avocados in the world, including 2.8 billion dollars from Mexico (92%), specified the ministry of American Agriculture Friday. In volume, the United States imported 1.2 million tonnes of avocados, including 1.1 million from Mexico (89%).
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