Avocado pickers in Mexico restart exports as security alert is lifted but are ‘at the mercy of whatever the U.S. market and government decide’

Avocado pickers in Mexico have resumed exports following the lifting of a U.S. security alert that temporarily halted shipments. Francisco Isidro, a 39-year-old harvester, was back on the job the morning after the alert was lifted, quickly climbing a tree and filling a box with avocados destined for the United States. The alert affected Michoacán state, home to Mexico's main avocado-producing region, where four terrorist cartels operate.

U.S. authorities fully lifted the restrictions, and exports have resumed smoothly with orchards operating at full speed and USDA inspectors returning to certify the fruit for pest-free status.

Workers are happy to earn their daily wages again, but some producers remain cautious, fearing that the calm may not last. Valentín Rodríguez, an industry businessperson, noted that while the increased security will bring safety for a while, the group's fate is ultimately at the mercy of the U.S. market and government. The U.S. alert caught Isidro high in a tree in an orchard in Santa Ana Zirosto, a region known for its high level of cartel activity.

In a state where numerous local cartels earn money from drug trafficking and extortion, there are many possibilities for threats. Some growers have come to accept extortion as an unavoidable cost of production, while others pay extortion fees, contributing to a significant portion of their daily earnings. Mexican avocado production is heavily controlled by the United States, with U.S. inspectors playing a crucial role in ensuring the fruit is free of pests before entering the country.

Inspections now occur primarily at packing plants, as the orchards are located in isolated areas with little interference from armed groups. Despite the return to work, fears remain about potential threats, as over 80% of Mexican avocados are sold to the U.S., and certification is essential for maintaining the industry's daily export volume.