There's been quite the stir among California avocado growers and U.S agricultural circles recently due to the announcement of a significant shift in how avocado imports from Mexico will be inspected. For nearly three decades, inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have conducted examinations of Mexican avocado orchards and packing houses before the fruits made their way to American markets, ensuring they were pest-free and safe for U.S. consumption. That all changed with Mexico's recent announcement, which claimed responsibility for inspection duties under new agreements with the U.S.
On September 16, Mexican authorities revealed they would take over the inspections of avocados intended for export to the United States. This agreement marks the end of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversight, which has been integral to protecting U.S. crops from pest invasions. Mexican officials contended this decision reflects their commitment to maintaining high health and safety standards, asserting there have been no significant pest-related issues for over 27 years.
But some growers remain skeptical, voicing serious concerns about the integrity and capability of Mexican inspections. The California Avocado Commission (CAC), for example, expressed its dismay after learning of the decision through Mexican news outlets—an announcement they say should have involved consultation with the U.S. industry. The commission worries about the potential risks of relying solely on Mexican inspectors, particularly because APHIS employees have faced threats and violence over the years, leading to temporary suspensions of inspections.
"This action reverses the long-established inspection process aimed at preventing invasions of known pests from Mexico, which could devastate our industry," the CAC articulated, reflecting the anxiety felt by many growers. The commission's open letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack questioned what guarantees the USDA could provide to assure growers the new inspection process would be as effective as the long-standing system.
Adding to the concerns, several incidents have raised questions about how well the USDA inspectors can protect themselves and their duties under Mexican conditions. Just earlier this year, two USDA inspectors were attacked and held for some time by assailants in Michoacán, Mexico’s primary avocado-producing region. This alarming trend of violence against inspectors, coupled with earlier threats reported last February—one involving intimidating messages directed toward inspectors questioning the integrity of certain shipments—has left California growers wary.
"What reassurances can APHIS provide us about the integrity of the inspection process going forward?" the commission pressed, emphasizing the unique advantages of having U.S. inspectors physically present during the inspection process to deter malfeasance and maintain accountability. They also raised doubts over the likelihood of corruption among local inspectors, especially when facing pressures from growers who may have ulterior motives to pass off defective shipments.
Despite the growing import reliance on Mexico—which now provides about 80% of U.S. avocado imports—the risk of pest invasion cannot be overlooked. U.S. avocado growers already struggle to meet national demand, often unable to supply fruit year-round. The possibility of compromised pest oversight from inspectors could not only affect the Mexican growers but also pose severe risks to American agriculture.
This situation has ignited intense discussions among growers and industry stakeholders as they grapple with what this could mean for their futures, prompting calls for heightened vigilance and accountability to preserve the integrity of U.S. agriculture amid these changes. The USDA has yet to provide detailed reasoning for this shift, leaving many unanswered questions hanging over California’s avocado industry.
No doubt, avocados are now at the forefront of agricultural security debates as growers petition for clarity, and the agricultural community watches closely to see if this new framework holds promise or peril. It's clear this is just the beginning of what could become a significant chapter for both American agriculture and its Mexican counterparts.
