Key facts
- Avocado exports from Mexico's Michoacán state to the U.S. have resumed after an eight-day suspension.
- The U.S. had issued a security alert, leading to the halt in exports and temporary shutdown of operations.
- Workers expressed relief at returning to work and earning wages, while some producers hope for reduced violence.
- Security fears and the possibility of extortion remain a concern for industry participants.
- Michoacán is a major avocado-producing state where multiple cartels operate.
Avocado exports from Mexico's Michoacán state to the United States have resumed after an eight-day suspension prompted by a U.S. security alert. Workers like Francisco Isidro were back in the orchards, happy to be earning their daily wages again. The alert had caused operations to shut down, leaving an estimated 200,000 people in the avocado industry in limbo.
While the resumption of exports brings relief, security concerns persist in Michoacán, a region known for cartel activity. Some producers view extortion as a cost of doing business, with significant daily payments made to criminal groups. Trucks carrying avocados are also vulnerable to robbery on local roads.
Past incidents involving threats to U.S. inspectors have also led to export suspensions. Although inspectors now focus more on packing plants than remote orchards, the underlying security issues in the region remain a point of apprehension for industry participants, who feel dependent on decisions made by the U.S. market and government.