The U.S. government has once again suspended avocado certifications in Michoacán, paralyzing exports of the fruit to the U.S. market.
The U.S. Embassy announced on Wednesday that activities conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff in the western state were to be temporarily halted, citing “a threat against U.S. interests.”
El gobernador de Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, afirmó que la suspensión de las certificaciones para exportar aguacate a EE.UU. responde a una medida preventiva de seguridad y confió en que sea temporal. https://t.co/Z9gKKNCb7F pic.twitter.com/xWSA3dPyhF
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The embassy statement did not specify the nature, location or target of that threat, but its mention was immediately followed by a “reminder” that a Level 4 travel advisory (“do not travel”) for Michoacán is still in effect due to terrorism and crime. The State Department has also restricted the movement of U.S. government employees through that state which lies in a region in which four cartels designated as terrorist organizations operate.
The announcement comes in the context of a renewed U.S. effort to “degrade” the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “mission to eliminate narco-terrorist cartels threatening the American people.”
In a related move, Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla ordered an additional 300 security operatives to deploy to the avocado-growing region of the state “as a preventive measure.” Then, on Thursday morning, the Defense Ministry announced it had sent more than 1,500 soldiers to the state to “protect avocado producers and packing plants in the region.”
This marks the third time in just over four years that avocado exports have been suspended for security reasons.
In February 2022, inspections were paused for almost a week after a U.S. official working in Uruapan received a threat on his official phone. In June 2024, Washington suspended avocado and mango inspections in Michoacán after two USDA employees were assaulted and temporarily detained while performing official duties.
The latest suspension directly impacts Michoacán’s US $3.65 billion avocado export industry, which employs more than 200,000 people.
After the U.S. Embassy announcement, Gov. Ramírez Bedolla said the temporary halt to inspections was intended to safeguard workers following recent arrests linked to extortion. In a social media post, he said his administration is working with U.S. officials to restore security conditions and “to address any concerns and ensure the swift restoration of operations, always safeguarding the development and tranquility of Michoacán.”
At the same time, the Association of Avocado Producers and Exporters (APEAM) sent its Board of Directors and its CEO to Mexico City to meet with authorities and seek measures to address the situation so as to reduce the impact on the industry.
According to APEAM, 127,000 tons of avocados were shipped to the United States in January, exceeding the 114,000 tons exported during the same month in 2025.
