Mexico: Jalisco Becomes 2nd State To Export Avocados to U.S.

For the first time, two Mexican states will be producing avocados for export to the United States. Jalisco state will become only the second state in Mexico to export the fruit known as "green gold" to the United States. Its neighboring state, Michoacan, used to be the only state authorized to export the fruit to the U.S. market.

Avocado production in Michoacan recently dipped, while the price of avocados soared to over $2 per fruit. The addition of Jalisco-grown avocados may help bring down prices in the U.S. market. Growers and packers in Jalisco have expressed their hopes that their products can help provide more stability to the fruit's often-fluctuating prices.

Javier Medina Villanueva, president of the Jalisco Avocado Export Association, said that it took a lot of patience to get that certification. He said that it took over 10 years for growers in the state to finally be allowed to sell their produce to the U.S. market.

First Batch of Avocadoes Have Now Left Jalisco, Michoacan Does Not See Them as Competition

According to the Associated Press, eleven trucks have now left the mountain town of Zapotlan El Grande in Jalisco last Thursday. They are bound for the United States and are carrying a combined 200 tons worth of avocados.

Much like the Michoacan avocados, these fruits will come with the label "Avocado from Mexico." It will not specify that it's from Jalisco, rather than Michoacan where they usually come from. U.S. consumers might not even recognize the difference at all, according to ABC News.

Other Mexican states are also clamoring for certification from the United States. However, the Michoacan-based Association of Mexican Avocado Growers and Packers says that they do not see them as competition. The association's head, Luis Gallardo, welcomes it. He added that there was room for more exports. One of the reasons was the drop in Michoacan production by about 200,000 tons.

Avocado Demand in the United States Increasing

The demand for avocados has risen in the U.S. over the past few years. According to USAID, this is mainly due to the rising Hispanic population in the United States. There is also a steady rise in the popularity of the fruit among non-Hispanics as well.

While the United States also produces avocados, many of its fruit comes from Mexico. In fact, Mexico supplies around 92% of U.S. imports of "green gold." This is mainly because avocado trees prefer the higher altitudes and cooler climates in Mexico.

Unfortunately, avocado exports to the United States were recently halted in February. One of the U.S. inspectors was threatened in Michoacan, and it was found out that some of the growers were being extorted regularly by the drug cartels. Exports only resumed after both countries agreed to enact measures that ensure the safety of inspectors.

As for the Jalisco avocados, Gov. Enrique Alfaro acknowledged that there is still a big problem with the cartels extorting money from farmers. He plans to develop a security program that allows the state's produce to be shipped from Jalisco safely.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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