Following an unfortunate incident in the Mexican state of Michoacan, the United States government has decided to suspend inspections of avocado and mango shipments. This decision comes after two employees of the United States Agriculture Department were assaulted and briefly held by unknown assailants while conducting inspections in Michoacan.
The employees, who work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), were inspecting avocados in Michoacan when the assault occurred. While they are no longer being held, the U.S. government has cited security concerns as the reason for pausing inspections.
Michoacan, known as Mexico’s largest exporter of avocados, plays a significant role in the avocado industry. However, the recent security issues have prompted the U.S. to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its inspection teams.
Despite the suspension of inspections in Michoacan, avocado exports from other Mexican states remain unaffected. The Producers and Packers Association of Mexico has assured that they are working closely with government officials from both countries to resume avocado exports from Michoacan.
It is important to note that the incident leading to the suspension of inspections was deemed unrelated to the avocado industry itself. Many avocado growers in Michoacan have faced threats from drug gangs, demanding protection money under the threat of violence.
In light of these security concerns, U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar announced the temporary halt in avocado and mango inspections in Michoacan until the safety issues are resolved. Salazar also mentioned plans to visit Michoacan next week to discuss the situation with local authorities and industry representatives.
While this pause in inspections may cause disruptions, it will not impede the overall shipment of Mexican avocados to the United States. With Jalisco now authorized as a second exporter of avocados to the U.S., there are existing shipments from Michoacan already in transit.
The U.S. government had previously suspended avocado inspections in February 2022 due to security threats, but the halt was lifted after a week. The ongoing collaboration between Mexican and U.S. officials aims to address these security challenges and ensure the smooth flow of avocado exports.
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