The United States has suspended all government operations, including agricultural inspections, in Mexico's Michoacán state due to a security threat, potentially disrupting the flow of avocados into the U.S.
The U.S. Embassy announced Wednesday that operations were halted because of what it described as a "threat to U.S. interests," which includes pausing the federal inspections required for Mexican avocados to be exported to the United States. This action could have significant implications for the U.S. avocado market, as Mexico supplies approximately 80% of the avocados imported into the country, with Michoacán being the primary export hub.
Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla stated that the inspections were temporarily stopped to ensure personnel safety following recent arrests linked to an extortion investigation. He emphasized that officials are prioritizing the establishment of necessary security conditions for operations to resume, noting that similar suspensions have occurred previously.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture stations inspectors in Mexico to verify that exported produce meets U.S. standards and is free from pests. In recent years, the avocado trade has become a multibillion-dollar industry, with Mexico exporting approximately $3.65 billion worth of avocados to the United States in 2025. American consumption of avocados has grown substantially, with the U.S. importing a record 2.87 billion pounds of fresh avocados last year.
Michoacán is also known as a region with a strong presence of organized crime. At least four drug cartels operate in the area, reportedly profiting from extortion schemes that target the lucrative avocado industry, in addition to narcotics trafficking. State Security Secretary Antonio Cruz indicated that one of the recent arrests involved Alfonso Fernández Magallón, allegedly a cartel leader accused of operating in the avocado-growing region around Los Reyes. The U.S. government had previously offered a $5 million reward for information leading to Fernández Magallón's capture. Cruz stated that authorities were unaware of any direct threats to U.S. avocado inspectors but dispatched approximately 300 security personnel to the Los Reyes area as a precautionary measure.