Following the reactivation of U.S. avocado inspections in Michoacán, shipments of the fruit recovered and exports to the neighboring country nearly doubled, producers in the region told Grupo REFORMA.
The suspension began on August 5, and operations began to resume three days later, on August 8, meaning that week 32 was marked by the halt in activity.
The following week, with inspections and shipments back underway, Michoacán and Jalisco sent 28,215 tons to the United States, compared with 14,574 tons in the previous period.
The increase was 94 percent and was driven mainly by Michoacán, the country’s leading avocado-producing state and the epicenter of the disruption.
The United States had suspended the activities of its personnel responsible for inspections following a security incident in Los Reyes, temporarily halting the certification required for new shipments to enter the U.S. market.
The decision once again highlighted security in the avocado-producing region as a critical factor for an industry that depends on binational inspections to keep its exports moving.
The federal government responded by deploying more than 1,500 Army and National Guard personnel throughout the producing region, with security operations in municipalities such as Los Reyes, Peribán, Tingüindín, Tancítaro, and Uruapan.
Highways and packing facilities used to transport the fruit were also placed under increased surveillance.
Following agreements reached between Mexican authorities, producers, and U.S. representatives, operations began to resume on August 8, and inspection activity was subsequently fully restored.
“The effect was immediate,” according to the Association of Producers and Packers Exporters of Avocados of Mexico (APEAM).
The new Fruit Mobilization Report for Export to the U.S. Market indicates that week 32 in Michoacán only included the Saturday when the resumption began.
By week 33, the state had already shipped 23,003 tons of avocados to the United States, more than double the 11,011 tons recorded in the previous period.
Jalisco also increased its exports, although without the rebound seen in Michoacán: shipments rose from 3,563 to 5,212 tons.
The difference reflects the effect of the reopening in Michoacán and the release of fruit following several days of interruptions.
Activity has continued this week, as the report indicates that on Tuesday, 728 avocado harvest cuts were in progress between Michoacán and Jalisco, while shipments to the United States continued.
During weeks 32, 33, and the portion of week 34 completed so far, the two states have accumulated 46,473 tons shipped to the U.S. market.
Of that total, 37,172 tons came from Michoacán, nearly 80 percent of the total, while 9,301 tons came from Jalisco.
The rebound comes after the disruption once again demonstrated the vulnerability of the avocado supply chain to security problems.
“It only took a few days of suspended U.S. inspections to halt shipments from Michoacán and, once operations were restored, trigger a major release of fruit toward the main export market,” APEAM stated.
Source: reforma
