The U.S. government has recently authorized Guatemala to export avocados, ending Mexico's near three-decade dominance as the primary source for these imports. This decision, aimed at diversifying the U.S. avocado market, addresses long-standing concerns over plant diseases and pests potentially impacting domestic production. According to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, the country is expected to export approximately 1,700 tons of avocados annually, a figure that pales in comparison to Mexico's 1.4 million tons.
The U.S. Agriculture Department's approval is based on a finding that risks associated with plant pests and noxious weeds can be mitigated through a systems approach, including measures such as allowing only commercial fruit, requiring packinghouse and place-of-production registrations, and implementing additional safeguarding measures. This framework mirrors the precautions historically applied to Mexican avocado imports, which have occasionally faced enforcement challenges, including violence and threats against U.S. inspectors.
Despite the regulatory approval, further steps, such as orchard and packing house registrations and inspections, are necessary before Guatemalan avocados can enter the U.S. market. The embassy highlights the economic benefits of this development for Guatemala, including job creation and increased income for local communities, potentially offering alternatives to irregular migration. However, it also underscores the environmental and social challenges faced by the avocado industry, including deforestation and extortion by criminal organizations, as observed in Mexico.
Source: ABC News