I represent Mexican avocado importers. Here’s what America’s 30-year avocado habit means for the tariff fight
California growers want seasonal limits on Mexican fruit. Here's why that would raise prices instead.
For nearly three decades, the United States has developed a strong affinity for avocados, with consumption surging from 424 million pounds in 1998/99 to 3.25 billion pounds in 2024/25. This demand has far surpassed California's avocado production capacity, which in 2025 amounted to around 49,300 acres yielding about 6,940 pounds per acre.
Mexico has historically supplied the majority of the U.S. avocado imports, providing 83% of the volume in 2025. While tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) have been proposed to limit Mexican avocado imports during specific months, these measures would not address the underlying issues faced by California growers. The imposition of TRQs would likely lead to inflated prices and potential strains on the supply chain, ultimately jeopardizing jobs, health, and wallets across America.
Instead of relying on TRQs, it is crucial to develop policies that enable California growers to compete effectively and maintain a balanced, integrated avocado supply chain across North America.
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