Key facts
- The U.S. government is partially restarting avocado inspections in Mexico.
- Inspections were suspended due to security concerns for U.S. inspectors.
- The suspension began on February 12.
- An attack on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors prompted the suspension.
- The Mexican government provided assurances and deployed additional security personnel.
- The restart aims to allow continued avocado exports to the United States.
- Michoacan is Mexico's top avocado-producing state.
The U.S. government is partially restarting its avocado inspection activities in Michoacan, Mexico, a state renowned for its avocado production. This partial resumption follows a complete suspension that was initiated due to security concerns for U.S. inspectors. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors had been attacked in Michoacan, leading to the suspension of inspections on February 12. The decision to partially restart comes after the Mexican government provided assurances regarding the safety of the inspectors and committed to deploying additional security personnel to protect them. This move is crucial for the continued export of Mexican avocados to the United States, which represents a significant market for the region's producers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors are expected to resume their work under enhanced security measures. The suspension had a notable impact on avocado exports, highlighting the importance of secure inspection processes for maintaining trade relations. The Mexican government has stated its commitment to ensuring the safety of all foreign personnel involved in export processes.