Mexico’s avocado growers suffer with no exports to the US

Avocado growers in the Mexican state of Michoacan feel the brunt of the US decision to suspend avocado imports due to safety concerns.

The 20,000 tonnes of avocados, typically exported this week from Michoacan, are still on the trees, meaning that farmers across the state have lost about 1 billion pesos ($50 million).

The money is still not completely lost. Growers like Humberto Solorzano in Michoacan are anxiously monitoring the news, hoping the ban will be lifted any moment now and avocados will start flowing into the US again.

The suspension took effect after a US Department of Agriculture inspector said he received a threatening call on his cell phone.

Mexico’s Avocado Growers Association, APEAM, met with various US and local officials to review safety measures and protocols.

At least for now, Michoacan is the only Mexican region allowed to export avocados to the US and is responsible for supplying 80% of all US avocado stocks. However, in recent years, the coastal state, which lies west of Mexico City, has been caught up in a brutal war between cartels that have infiltrated the lucrative avocado trade.

Other producers, such as Peru or Colombia, could help fill some of the gaps left in the US market by the suspension, Solorzano said. But its production is far from sufficient to cover the country’s demand.

Source: Money Times

To read the full original article please see: https://www.moneytimes.com.br/produtores-de-abacate-do-mexico-sofrem-sem-exportacoes-aos-eua/

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