Michoacán avocado harvest and exports resume after price dispute, Digi Mart USA News (Ciudad de México, Mexico): The Government of Mexico announced that avocado harvesting and exports to the United States and other international markets will resume today, Thursday, after producers, workers and packing companies reached an agreement to resolve a dispute over falling prices in Michoacán.
The pact was reached Tuesday night, following several days of protests that began October 23, when producers suspended fruit picking and blocked highways to demand better marketing conditions.
The conflict arose after the price of avocados fell to between 13 and 20 pesos per kilogram, an amount that farmers say is insufficient to cover basic production costs.
President Claudia Sheinbaum explained at her morning press conference that the price reduction is due to increased international competition from a greater supply of the product in foreign markets.
“We are working with producers, pickers and agro-exporters, and also with the United States, to find a way to always guarantee the export and price of avocados,” she said.
Mexico is the world’s leading avocado producer, and Michoacán accounts for approximately 75% of national production.
During the last season, the state exported 1.25 million tons to the United States, its main buyer, plus about 211,000 tons to other international markets.
The suspension also came amid health concerns after the bone borer pest was detected in shipments from other states, which led to the destruction of approximately 52 tons of fruit.
Columba López, Secretary of Agriculture, ruled out phytosanitary risks in export shipments and said Michoacán has not recorded cases of the screwworm in its orchards during 28 years of international trade.
Authorities clarified that the recent incidents were isolated cases in Jalisco and Nayarit, unrelated to the export chain.
The National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (Senasica) maintains records of orchards in 50 municipalities free of the pest and conducts random monthly inspections across 500 hectares to ensure sanitary conditions.
