Avocado pickers in Mexico welcome restart of exports to US, but security fears remain
SANTA ANA ZIROSTO, Mexico (AP) — It didn’t take long for Mexican avocado picker Francisco Isidro to get back to work after authorities announced the lifting of a U.S. security alert that temporarily halted avocado exports . Back on the job…
Avocado pickers in Mexico are rejoicing over the resumption of exports to the United States, despite lingering security concerns. Francisco Isidro, a farmhand, returned to work the day after a U.S. security alert was lifted, climbing a tree to fill a box with avocados bound for the U.S. He expressed relief at finally being paid after several days without work.
The U.S. alert prompted avocado producers in Michoacán, Mexico's leading avocado-producing state, to halt operations, prompting the deployment of more Mexican troops. Once the alert was fully lifted, orchards quickly resumed packing, USDA inspectors returned to certify the fruit's safety, and exports to the U.S. restarted. While the workers are pleased to receive their daily wages, some hope the increased security will curb violence and extortion, while others fear the calm may not endure.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
