US Suspends Avocado Inspections in Mexico's Michoacan, Halting Exports

The United States has temporarily suspended avocado inspections in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, effectively halting exports from the region that supplies the vast majority of avocados consumed in the US. The move comes amid unspecified security concerns for American personnel, prompting Mexico to deploy 1,500 additional troops to the area.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the increased security presence is intended to allow inspections to resume as quickly as possible and minimize trade disruptions. The suspension affects Michoacan, Mexico's largest avocado-producing state, a region where powerful drug cartels are known to operate extortion networks.

US Department of Agriculture inspectors are required to certify avocados on-site before they can be exported, a measure designed to prevent pests from entering the United States. Without these inspections, the export pipeline comes to a standstill, which could lead to higher prices for American consumers.

This is not the first time such a suspension has occurred. Previous pauses have been triggered by attacks against US inspectors. This time, however, no specific incident has been reported. Michoacan authorities have suggested the halt may be linked to recent arrests in extortion cases.

A California-based group has also cited a pest report at a Mexican packing house as a potential factor. The situation is typically resolved within days, as prolonged disruptions hurt producers and economies on both sides of the border.

The avocado industry in Michoacan employs roughly 200,000 people. Growers have noted that extortion by criminal groups remains a persistent issue even after exports resume. In 2025, Mexican avocado sales to the US generated approximately $3.7 billion.