Michoacán attorney general reports millions in annual avocado-sector extortion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s temporary suspension covers inspections and certification of new avocado shipments from Michoacán, Mexico’s largest avocado-producing region. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a security alert warning of an imminent threat to U.S. interests and American agricultural inspectors working in the region.
The suspension of phytosanitary inspections immediately halted the flow of avocados from Michoacán. Those inspections are a mandatory requirement for shipments entering the United States.
Mexico accounts for about 40% of global avocado production and exports more than 1 million metric tons annually to the United States. About 85% of avocados sold in the United States come from orchards in Michoacán, where annual trade exceeds $3.65 billion.
A similar interruption occurred in February 2022, when the United States temporarily suspended avocado imports from Michoacán after a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector received a threatening message while conducting inspections in Uruapan. U.S. and Mexican authorities implemented additional security measures, and inspections resumed about a week later.
Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Ramírez said in a video posted on social media that the current suspension is a strictly preventive measure triggered by recent federal arrests targeting extortion networks. Ramírez said the state’s Civil Guard and federal security forces had increased patrols in avocado-producing areas to protect international inspectors and restore normal trade as soon as possible.
The Association of Avocado Producers and Exporting Packers of Mexico said in a statement published Wednesday by Mexican media that it had requested meetings with the administration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The association said the meetings would address the security situation and coordinate measures to minimize the impact on the industry.
Michoacán accounts for about 75% of Mexico’s avocado exports and supports more than 300,000 jobs, according to the source report. The United States is the state’s most important export market.
Research by InSight Crime has documented the expansion of criminal organizations, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the New Michoacán Family and local criminal cells, into agricultural extortion in Michoacán. The organization said criminal groups impose mandatory fees on cultivated land, influence purchase prices and use violence to intimidate inspectors, transport operators and business owners.
InSight Crime said the extortion reaches each stage of the supply chain, including farm workers, orchard owners, packing facilities and trucking companies transporting avocados to the U.S. border. The organization said those who refuse to pay risk kidnapping, arson or murder.
InSight Crime also said the profitability of the avocado industry has contributed to violent territorial disputes in Michoacán. Rival criminal groups compete for control of producing municipalities to obtain extortion revenue, according to the organization.
The Attorney General’s Office of the Mexican state of Michoacán said extortion of the agricultural sector generates enormous sums that amount to a criminal industry. According to the office, two high-ranking operatives of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and allied criminal cells each collected between $385 million and $578 million annually through extortion payments targeting the avocado industry and other businesses in municipalities including Uruapan.