US suspends imports of Mexican avocados because of threat to safety inspector

• Right when the Super Bowl 2022 was about to be celebrated, the US suspended all imports of Mexican avocados.
• The decision was made due to the threat received by a US safety inspector who works at plants in Mexico.
• The only state in Mexico authorized to export avocados to the United States is Michoacán, a territory that has fallen victim to the battles between cartels.

NO GUACAMOLE FOR THE 2022 SUPER BOWL? Right when the 20022 Super Bowl was about to be celebrated, the US suspended all imports of Mexican avocado due to a threat received by a US safety inspector who works at plants in Mexico.

The news could not have come at a worse time for the exporters of the precious green fruit, since avocado sales boom on Super Bowl night. That’s when millions of spectators, both in the stands and at home, celebrate the euphoria of the game with beer and guacamole.

US suspends imports of Mexican avocado due to threat to inspector

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico reported this Saturday night in a statement that the United States had informed them of its decision to suspend avocado imports from Mexican lands «until further notice.»

The United States government made this decision after a US safety inspector who works in the Mexican plants received a threatening message on his cell phone, explained the Mexican authorities.

Avocado caught in the middle of the drug war

«The health authorities… made the decision after one of their officials, who was carrying out inspections in Uruapan, Michoacán, received a threatening message on his official cell phone,» wrote the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The only state in Mexico that is fully authorized to export avocados to the US market is Michoacán, a territory that has fallen victim to drug cartel battles and extortion of avocado growers.

One day before the Super Bowl

This ban not only affects an industry that produces almost $3 billion in annual exports, but it came right at the busiest time of the year for avocado growers. In fact, the Mexican Association of Avocado Producers and Packers was informed of the decision just hours before airing this year’s Super Bowl ad.

This year’s ad was going to feature the great Julius Caesar and a group of rough guys on the outskirts of a gladiatorial arena, who finally ended up reconciling their differences while enjoying classic guacamole. One more attempt to make eating avocados a Super Bowl tradition.

Good news for fans!

The good news is that the avocados that are going to be used in the the delicious recipes that will be served during the Super Bowl for millions of families this year had already been exported to the United States in the weeks prior to the great sporting event.

Even so, it is still bad news going forward for avocado companies that ship their products to the United States, especially since the government decided to suspend imports «until further notice,» The Associated Press reported.

Why are plants in Mexico inspected?

US safety inspectors work on Mexican soil with the idea of ​​guaranteeing that the avocados that are exported to the United States meet all health guidelines. Also because avocados are also grown in the United States, it’s necessary to make sure that no diseases that could damage American crops reach the country.

Since 1914, a regulation that halted the importation of Mexican avocados to prevent weevils, scabs, and pests from affecting plantations in the United States was in force. In 1997, the country decided to lift this ban, although they still carry out safety inspections. Filed Under: The US suspends imports of Mexican avocado due to threat.

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