The Avocado Trade Between the U.S. and Mexico

Americans’ love for avocados is ever-growing, and the United States heavily relies on Mexico for its avocado supply. One interesting fact is that a single state in Mexico, Michoacán, provides almost all the avocados consumed in the U.S. This dependency becomes evident when import operations face disruptions.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made a decision to halt avocado and mango inspections from Mexico due to security concerns for its staff in Michoacán. Criminal groups in the region have attempted to infiltrate the lucrative avocado industry, prompting this precautionary measure.

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico announced that inspections would gradually resume after a brief suspension. To address the situation, the ambassador visited Michoacán to engage with state and federal authorities regarding the issue.

Where Do Avocados in the U.S. Come From?

The average American consumes over eight pounds of avocados annually, a significant increase from previous years. This surge in demand has been primarily met through imports. In 2023, the United States imported a record-breaking 2.8 billion pounds of avocados, making up around 90% of the avocado supply in the country, a substantial rise from 40% two decades ago.

The majority of avocados imported to the U.S. are sourced from Mexico, which has become the world’s leading avocado producer. Michoacán, Mexico’s primary avocado production hub, plays a crucial role in meeting the soaring demand from American consumers.

Although California produces about 90% of avocados grown domestically in the U.S., the state has faced challenges due to erratic weather patterns associated with climate change, such as droughts and wildfires. These environmental factors have further emphasized the U.S.’s dependence on avocado imports.