On Friday, June 21, U.S. ambassador Ken Salazar announced that government inspections of avocados and mangos in the Mexican state of Michoacán will gradually resume. This news came a week after inspections were halted due to security concerns as two USDA employees were detained by assailants.
Inspectors will gradually return to the packing plants, but according to Salazar, more work needs to be done to safeguard their security.
As a result of suspended inspections, avocados from Michoacán couldn't get exported to the U.S. last week. While the state of Jalisco continued exports as usual, the market did strengthen as a result of lower supply. Mangos weren't affected much as harvest in Michoacán is winding down and transitioning to other growing regions.
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