US Suspends Avocado Shipments From Michoacan After Inspectors Were Attacked

Avocadoes may be in high demand in the US, but criminal violence in Mexico may lead to the multibillion-dollar trade of the fruit being in danger after it was revealed that several US avocado inspectors from the USDA were allegedly attacked in the primary avocado-producing state of Michoacan.

A spokesperson for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated on Tuesday that inspections in Michoacan state have already been paused as the security situation for its inspectors is currently being reviewed, and more safeguards are being put in place.

This was not the first time armed groups in Michoacan have attacked USDA inspectors, as back in 2022, inspectors were directly threatened by criminal groups in the area, according to the Financial Times.

"This is huge. Cartel violence in #Mexico is now unambiguously hitting the domestic economy, and relations with the North, in a manner simple even for casual observers to understand," Eric Farnsworth, vice-president of lobby group the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society, tweeted on X, formerly Twitter. "This is a bright red warning light flashing brightly on the dashboard."

Mexico is responsible for over 80 percent of the avocadoes being consumed in the United States, with exports from the country being worth an estimated $2.7 billion in last year alone. A vast majority of that came from Michoacan, which is being fought over by infamous drug cartels such as the Familia Michoacana and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, as well as several smaller and lesser-known criminal groups.

Michoacan State Government Working With US Authorities to Resolve Mexico Avocado Situation

While Michoacan's avocado and mango inspections were temporarily halted, the inspections in other Mexican states would still continue, according to a USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service spokesperson.

Despite this, there would not be a pause in Mexican avocado shipments from Michoacan to the United States, as "there are a lot of Michoacan avocados already in transit," the USDA spokesperson added. There are also several avocadoes coming from neighboring Jalisco state, according to the Associated Press.

Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla also assured the public that they are already in discussions with US authorities to resolve the situation, especially as drug gangs continue to harass and extort the state's avocado farmers.

Michoacan Governor Downplayed Situation Regarding Safety of US Avocado Inspectors

During a radio interview on Tuesday, Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla downplayed the incident where the USDA avocado inspectors were attacked, claiming that they were just stopped in a protest by residents of Aranza.

He explained that they were never at risk and he immediately got in touch with the US Embassy the next day. He then sent state forces to provide security for the state's avocado producers and packers.

Mexico's Producers and Packers Association also released a statement that said the suspension was caused by an incident that was "unconnected to the avocado industry."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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