Michoacán wants to resume avocado certification.

The state governor confirmed that the U.S. Embassy was indeed responsible for temporarily suspending the government activities of its staff in Michoacán, including inspectors from the USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) program, who were tasked with verifying compliance with the phytosanitary protocols that allow for the export of avocados to the U.S. market.

“A temporary suspension of government activities at the U.S. Embassy in Michoacán was ordered, particularly with regard to the USDA APHIS inspectors, who are responsible for enforcing the protocols for avocado exports to the United States,” he said.

The governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, has emphasized that the suspension of avocado export certifications to the U.S. is a preventive safety measure; however, he is confident that exports will resume soon.

Ramírez Bedolla also noted that his administration is in constant communication with U.S. diplomatic representatives and federal authorities in order to resume the inspections.

Ramírez Bedolla said, “We are in contact with the embassy and working in coordination with them (…) and we hope that the inspectors’ operations will resume as soon as possible.”

The governor also noted that, according to information provided by the Embassy, the decision was a preventive measure: “We have been informed that these are preventive actions being taken by the U.S. government to safeguard its employees,” he said, noting that the suspension comes amid recent federal operations against extortion in the state.

He also highlighted the economic importance of the avocado sector for Michoacán. “The avocado industry is vital to us; it generates more than 200,000 jobs in the state,” he said.

Previously, the U.S. Embassy reportedly announced the suspension of activities by its agricultural staff in Michoacán due to a threat against U.S. interests, without specifying the nature of the risk.

However, the measure affects USDA regulatory officials who are responsible for certifying packaging authorized for avocado exports, which, in effect, has brought shipments of the fruit to the United States—the main destination for Mexican exports—to a standstill.

The Association of Mexican Avocado Producers and Export Packers (Apeam) reported that only fruit received on the date specified by the association may be processed, under the supervision of a U.S. inspector.

Fruit delivered before the date announced by the association may be unloaded but not processed, and no new shipments for export will be authorized either.