USDA Takes Action on Mexican Insect Pests Impacting California Avocados
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) is urging the Trump administration to protect California’s avocado industry from invasive pests coming from Mexico. The commission has outlined recommendations in a report that emphasize the need for action to prevent significant harm to the state’s avocado market, valued at $1 billion.
One of the key suggestions is to revert to the original USDA testing standards established in 1997 for avocados and orchards in Mexico. Recent actions by the Biden administration, which ended the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Testing Service, have raised concerns about the lack of pest inspections for avocados exported to the US. This decision follows reports of threats against inspectors by criminal groups in Mexico.
Instead of ensuring pest-free shipments, Mexico has been criticized for not adequately preventing infestations, including those from pests like seed and stem weevils. The CAC reported a notable increase in pest interceptions at Mexican packing facilities since late October, indicating severe pest control failures.
Between January and October of the previous year, USDA inspectors discovered harmful pests in over 150 cases, demonstrating a consistent breakdown of pest management systems. The CAC voiced urgent concerns, stating that these pests could cause catastrophic harm to California’s orchards, leading growers to rely on expensive pesticides and risking international trade.
The commission advocates for a full restoration of USDA oversight of packing and orchard inspections in Mexico. Additionally, they suggest enhancing safety measures for USDA inspectors, possibly through secure convoys or temporary safe zones, and even halting avocado exports from Mexico if safety cannot be guaranteed.
Moreover, if local inspectors can’t fulfill their roles in Mexico, the CAC recommends that the federal government improve communication with Mexican authorities. It’s worth mentioning that the USDA reports that around 80% of avocados imported into the US come from Mexico, which accounted for 88% of imports in 2024.
California’s avocado industry, according to the CAC, has a total value of $1.5 billion and yielded over 363.6 million pounds of fruit during the 2023-2024 season.
