Agreement Between Mexico and the U.S. to Supervise Avocado Exports
16:49 16/09/2024 - PesoMXN.com
The governments of Mexico and the United States have decided that personnel from the Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) will take on the responsibility of sampling and certifying avocado orchards intended for export. This measure acknowledges the commitment that Mexican producers have maintained for over 27 years with the Work Plan for Avocado Exports to the United States, a period during which no health issues have been reported. Thanks to this, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (APHIS-USDA) has provided confidence to the National Service of Health, Safety, and Quality of Food (Senasica) so that Mexican inspectors can verify the absence of pests in the orchards participating in the export program.
APHIS personnel will continue to monitor the orchards through documentation and, if deemed necessary, in-person inspections. Additionally, APHIS and Senasica will directly supervise the avocado packing facilities that ship to the United States. This demonstrates that Mexican producers, packers, and exporters have done a good job in detecting and controlling quarantine pests. This change in responsibilities strengthens collaboration between both health agencies, facilitating faster and safer trade. It’s important to note that the Work Plan governing this export allows APHIS to conduct continuous inspections of orchards since 1997, alongside Senasica technicians, to ensure that exporting orchards meet necessary health standards. Avocados are a crucial fruit for Mexico both nationally and internationally, due to their popularity, the value of production, and the jobs they create. Mexico is the world’s largest producer of avocados, with a production of 2,540,715 tons, with Michoacán, Jalisco, Estado de México, Nayarit, Morelos, and Puebla being the main producing states. In addition to supplying the domestic market, Mexican producers export over 1.1 million tons to various countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, Spain, El Salvador, the Netherlands, and China.
The export of avocados not only represents a key pillar for the Mexican economy, but also strengthens international trade relations. It is essential for producers to continue meeting quality and safety standards, which not only increases their competitiveness in the market, but can also open new opportunities in other countries, ensuring a steady flow of income and generating jobs in various regions of the country.
