United States suspends avocado inspections in Mexico's Michoacán state over security threat

What the suspension covers

"El gobierno de Estados Unidos lanzó este miércoles una alerta de seguridad para suspender todo tipo de operaciones en el estado occidental de Michoacán, entre las que está la verificación de aguacates para la exportación a ese país, 'debido a una amenaza contra intereses estadounidenses'." The alert did not specify the nature of the threat in public statements.

Michoacán has long been one of the principal avocado-producing regions in Mexico, and US-driven inspection protocols were put in place after previous incidents in which agricultural inspectors were targeted by organized crime groups operating in the state. The current suspension follows that same pattern of precaution.

The decision creates immediate uncertainty for Mexican producers and exporters, who rely on the certification programme to access the lucrative US market. Avocados from Michoacán are shipped year-round and form a significant share of imports consumed in the United States.

Background on the inspection programme

US authorities did not indicate on Wednesday how long the suspension would remain in place. Past episodes of similar halts have lasted from a few days to several weeks, depending on the security assessment on the ground.

Mexican federal officials acknowledged the alert but did not immediately announce countermeasures. Producers' associations in Michoacán said they were seeking more information from agricultural authorities in Mexico City.

Impact on producers and supply chains

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service oversees the programme in cooperation with Mexican counterparts, and its inspectors have been the cornerstone of the bilateral trade in fresh avocados. Their withdrawal from the field is the most visible consequence of Wednesday's alert.

Industry analysts said the suspension could affect retail supply chains in the United States within days if it is prolonged, given that Michoacán supplies a large portion of the avocados consumed north of the border. Restaurants and grocery chains are particularly exposed.

Beyond avocados, the broader halt on US operations in Michoacán could affect other joint programmes that depend on American personnel travelling to the state, though officials have not publicly itemised the full scope of activities paused.