The United States government has suspended all its activities in the Mexican state of Michoacán, a decision that directly impacts the region's crucial avocado export industry. This suspension, confirmed by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, stems from security concerns and effectively halts U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulatory officers from inspecting avocados and mangoes destined for export. The measure has paralyzed agricultural inspection work, which is a major economic driver for Michoacán.
The immediate consequences include restrictions on processing fruit: only avocados received on August 4 with USDA supervision can be processed, and fruit arriving today can be unloaded but not processed or shipped for export. This has led to the Association of Avocado Producers and Packers Exporters of Mexico (APEAM) moving its board to Mexico City to seek security solutions and mitigate industrial impact. Although inspections in other Mexican states are unaffected, Michoacán is Mexico’s largest exporter of avocados, making this suspension a significant blow.
While the suspension of inspections does not block all avocado shipments to the U.S. (as some Michoacán avocados are already in transit and Jalisco is also an exporter), a prolonged pause could severely impact the supply chain. The situation highlights ongoing security challenges in Michoacán, which prompted the U.S. Embassy to issue immediate safety recommendations for its citizens in the state. Industry players like Westfalia Fruit have already declared force majeure due to supply restrictions, indicating broader market volatility and increased costs for avocados, with prices at the border rising hourly.
