López Obrador calls the US brake on Mexican avocado a “unilateral measure”

The president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obradordescribed this Tuesday as a “unilateral measure” driven by the electoral environment, the suspension of the United States on the importation of avocado Mexican from the western state of Michoacán for reasons of violence.

“It is already being seen, an agreement is being sought. There are always these unilateral measures, but those are their policies.”, noted the Mexican president during his morning press conference.

The Mexican president thus spoke about Washington’s decision, which on June 15 temporarily suspended imports of avocado produced in Michoacán, one of the two states certified to export this fruit to the United States.

The stop occurred after a second incident was recorded against inspectors from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) during a blockade, something similar to what happened in 2022, when there was also a temporary suspension after threats of crime to a US official.

According to the local press, the incident occurred on Friday, June 14, when two American inspectors were detained during a demonstration in the community of Aranza, in the municipality of Paracho, about 35 kilometers north of the city of Uruapan.

Given this, the US Embassy in Mexico activated a security protocol, which includes the temporary suspension of imports, a measure that, according to the Association of Avocado Producers and Packers of Mexico (Apeam), could extend up to two weeks.

In this regard, López Obrador pointed out that there are good relations with the United States and they are convincing the authorities of that country to reverse the decision, but he maintained that it is a measure that has electoral overtones ahead of the US elections in November.

“Now everything is getting tense because of the elections, because accusations from one side and the other are all over the place.”, he noted.

He highlighted that avocado is a product that is consumed “much much” in the United States and that the good relationship that Mexico has with that country will help “let there be understanding”.

Avocado from Mexican producers is the leader in production and export worldwide with 1.68 million tons annually.

Avocados from Mexico are exported to 34 countries around the world, although Michoacán and Jalisco stand out for being the only states that can export to countries such as the United States, Canada and Japan.