US halts Michoacán avocado flow amid security alert

The USDA temporarily suspended inspections and phytosanitary certification for new avocado shipments from Mexico’s Michoacán after a U.S. Embassy security alert, immediately stopping imports from the region. Michoacán accounts for about 75% of Mexico’s avocado exports and roughly 85% of avocados consumed in the United States, with annual trade around $3.65 billion and more than 1 million metric tons exported. The pause, linked to threats against inspectors and past incidents, is preventive while authorities bolster security and work to restore normal trade. The move highlights the sector’s economic importance and its vulnerability to organized-crime extortion in Michoacán.