The USDA is considering easing restrictions on imports of avocados from Mexico by allowing shipments from the state of Jalisco on the back of rising consumer demand for the green fruit. Currently, only avocados from the state of Michoacan have access to the US market.
Last year, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) carried out a pest risk assessment on the consequences of widening market access which found that the pest prevention procedures in Michoacan could be extended to other parts of Mexico.
“This proposed rule would allow for future importation of fresh Hass avocados from other Mexican states provided those states meet the Aphis requirements contained in the regulations,” the agency said. “Prior to shipments beginning from any future states, Aphis would work with the NPPO of Mexico to ensure that they meet the requirements.”
Aphis said it did not expect a dramatic impact on the US avocado market as even if Jalisco shipped all of its production (around 90m lbs in 2012) to the US, this would make up less than 8 per cent of total US avocado imports. Instead, the agency said the change would likely impact on other foreign suppliers such as Chile and Peru.
