US suspends avocado inspections in Mexican state, potentially disrupting fruit’s export from top producing region | CNN

The US suspended government activities in Mexico’s Michoacan state on Wednesday due to an unspecified “threat against American interests,” in a move that could potentially delay avocado exports from the state to the US. The suspension will disrupt the work of US Department of Agriculture personnel that inspect avocado exports to the US, Michoacan Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said. A USDA spokesperson told CNN that any produce that requires its onsite approval and hasn’t completed the process isn’t eligible for importation. Other shipments would be allowed into the US after they complete the approval process. “The shipment of fruit destined for export is not authorized, so each packing plant must evaluate and make the operational decisions it deems appropriate regarding harvesting during this day,” Mexico’s avocado producers’ association APEAM said. Only avocados received on Tuesday in the presence of the USDA will be processed, the association said. It’s happening as security forces are carrying out operations against extortion in the state, the governor noted. Cartels regularly extort producers in protection schemes, according to a 2024 report by the Globa