The state delegate of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), Jaime Rodriguez Lopez, said that, despite the problems avocado producers had a few weeks ago, avocado production did not decrease, exports were conducted normally, and they will continue to perform in a normal manner.
According to the last report, more than 637,000 tons of avocado were exported, which accounts for 82% of the state exports. The production is distributed mainly to the United States, Canada, Japan, and China. This figure shows that, despite the conflict, the sector worked responsibly and did not abandon its crops.
Rodriguez Lopez said there were more than 20,000 hectares devoted solely to produce avocados for export, and that producers had continued working on them despite the strike, so there wasn't a decrease in tonnage and they complied with their commitments.
Michoacan exports its avocado to more than 20 countries in America, Asia, and Europe. The state's main destination is the United States, which received more than 953,000 tons in 2015 - 85% of the state's export volume. Expectations are that this year, Michoacan will export the same amount, or a higher volume, to the US market.
The municipalities that have the most hectares devoted to this production in Michoacan are, Tancítaro with 21,830 hectares, Ario de Rosales with 14,600, Uruapan with 13,800, and Salvador Escalante with 13,000.
The Federal Government contributes around 25 million pesos per year, via its Plant Health and Safety programs, and producers give about 50 million more to tend to the avocado crops. Plant health has been instrumental to open international markets; currently, 33 municipalities and 134,000 hectares are free of weevils, i.e. 95% of the total.
The state delegate also said it was important to pay close attention to the production of avocado, as it is the state's main fruit export, which also positions Michoacan as one of the best producers of avocado.
Source: lavozdemichoacan.com.mx