Avocado-producing regions in Mexico have been declared pest-free, strengthening the country's phytosanitary status and supporting its position as the world's leading avocado exporter.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) announced that several municipalities in Michoacan, Puebla, Morelos, the State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Guerrero, Jalisco, Colima, and Sonora are now free from the large and small avocado seed borers and the avocado seed moth. These pests are monitored under the Campaign Against Regulated Avocado Pests, which has been in place since 1996.
The initiative, coordinated by the National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA), aims to preserve pest-free zones and lower infestation rates to maintain the phytosanitary integrity of Mexico's avocado-growing regions. The targeted pests damage shoots, flowers, and developing fruit, while larvae bore into the pulp and seed, causing blemishes, premature fruit drop, and yield loss. Severe infestations can lead to branch wilting and render fruits unfit for consumption.
Regions in Michoacan, Puebla, Jalisco, and Guanajuato renewed their pest-free status. New declarations were made for three localities in Michoacan, six in Sonora, four in Jalisco, one in Colima, and one agroecological zone in Tlalnepantla, Morelos.
According to SADER, plant health specialists conducted field sampling to verify that these areas are free of risk and comply with official phytosanitary regulations for pest-free certification, including requirements for orchard management and the safe transport of avocados.
The ministry stated that most of the updated declarations correspond to renewed 2023 certifications, which enabled exports of 1.3 million tonnes (Mt) of avocados, primarily to the United States. These exports involved 56,657 producers and reinforced Mexico's position as the world's top avocado supplier.
To maintain pest-free certification, producers must follow official phytosanitary protocols, including recording surveillance activities. The certification remains valid for 24 months, after which sampling results are reviewed before renewal.
Mexico continues to lead global avocado production and exports. Michoacan and Jalisco remain the main producing states, contributing 75.8% and 10.9% of the national total in 2023. That year, 41.1% of total production was exported, with 85.5% shipped to the United States, followed by Canada (7.7%), Japan (2.4%), and Spain (2%).
Total avocado production in 2023 reached 2.97 Mt, harvested from 253,309 hectares, positioning the crop as the second most valuable in Mexican agriculture after corn.
Source: Mexico Business News
