Michoacan's Hass avocados enjoying welcome into U.S. market
Michoacan's Hass avocados enjoying welcome into U.S. market
URUAPAN, MICHOACAN, MEXICO -- Hosted by Asociacion de Productores & Empacadores Exportadores de Aguacate de Michoacan A.C., or APEAM, a group of U.S.-based media professionals were brought on a tour of the Michoacan avocado-producing region, gaining insights into the area's production practices and learning about the premium fruit now being shipped to nearly all of the United States.
As of Jan. 31, all but three U.S. states were opened to year-round imports of Mexican-grown Hass avocados. Before then, certified Mexican shippers had approval to ship into only 31 states and only from Oct. 15 to April 15.
California, Florida and Hawaii will not receive shipments of Michoacans Hass avocados until 2007, when the whole of the United States will be permitted to enjoy the 12,000-year-old native Mexican fruit from Michoacan.
The Mexican state produces 90 percent of Mexicos avocados and represents about half of the total global production. The Hass variety, however, was originated in California and has established itself as the avocado industry leader because of its superior characteristics.
"Over several years," according to Lizandro Gonzales, area director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a series of mitigating steps were developed to reduce the probability of importing infested fruit. The concern over the importation is for five types of weevils that are not welcome in the United States because they can infest avocados. They include stem-borer weevils and seed moths, but not Mediterranean fruit flies. Both USDA and El Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Inocuidad & Calidad Agroalimentaria, better known as SENASICA, certify Michoacan growers, handlers and shippers to permit them to ship avocados to the United States.
Once a municipality is certified [pest-free], the orchards within that area that are certified can export, said Mr. Gonzales.
If pests are found, exports are immediately suspended. The insects in question have a six-month life cycle, so a six-month suspension is enforced, followed by a thorough reinspection. If more insects are found again, another six-month suspension will be levied.
Great care is taken, Mr. Gonzales said, because it has been a long time in coming for the avocado growers and processors. They would not want to create any situation that would jeopardize the deal.
APEAM, which represents Michoacan avocado producers and exporting packers, promotes the Michoacan-grown avocados. Benjamin Grayeb Ruiz, chairman of the board for APEAM, addressed a group of Michoacan avocado industry members and journalists at the 185-acre, 33-year-old avocado orchard owned by Jesus Mendez, former chairman of APEAM.
Mr. Grayeb Ruiz said that due largely to the efforts of Mexican President Vicente Fox and Javier Usabiaga, the secretary of agriculture for Mexico, a dream came true, and the U.S. market was opened to Michoacans avocados. On June 6, we celebrated the sending of 67,000 tons [of Michoacan avocados] to the U.S., as well as the total opening of the U.S. market except for California, Florida and Hawaii.
He said that the Michoacan avocado industry is prepared to send as many premium-quality avocados of any size any time to anywhere in the world as are needed.
Michoacan is a 12-month source of Hass avocados, which Mr. Grayeb Ruiz noted is beneficial for stable pricing and contract deals. Grown in the areas rich volcanic soil on its diverse topography ranging from altitudes of 4,000 feet to 8,450 feet above sea level, growers harvest from different altitudes throughout the year to realize a 12-month season.
There are 113 counties in Michoacan, 10 of which are permitted to ship avocados to the United States. There are about 74,000 acres producing avocados in these 10 counties, which annually produce about 330,700 tons of avocados for the U.S. market.
APEAMs efforts have made avocados the most lucrative crop in Michoacan. Farmers reach agreements with the packers and set the price, said Victor Moreno, consultant for the APEAM promotion committee. The packers determine the sale price, and the system ensures that the growers realize a good profit. Mr. Moreno said that the growers are enjoying the business of their life.
(Photos from this event appear in the June 20 issue of The Produce News.)
As of Jan. 31, all but three U.S. states were opened to year-round imports of Mexican-grown Hass avocados. Before then, certified Mexican shippers had approval to ship into only 31 states and only from Oct. 15 to April 15.
California, Florida and Hawaii will not receive shipments of Michoacans Hass avocados until 2007, when the whole of the United States will be permitted to enjoy the 12,000-year-old native Mexican fruit from Michoacan.
The Mexican state produces 90 percent of Mexicos avocados and represents about half of the total global production. The Hass variety, however, was originated in California and has established itself as the avocado industry leader because of its superior characteristics.
"Over several years," according to Lizandro Gonzales, area director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a series of mitigating steps were developed to reduce the probability of importing infested fruit. The concern over the importation is for five types of weevils that are not welcome in the United States because they can infest avocados. They include stem-borer weevils and seed moths, but not Mediterranean fruit flies. Both USDA and El Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Inocuidad & Calidad Agroalimentaria, better known as SENASICA, certify Michoacan growers, handlers and shippers to permit them to ship avocados to the United States.
Once a municipality is certified [pest-free], the orchards within that area that are certified can export, said Mr. Gonzales.
If pests are found, exports are immediately suspended. The insects in question have a six-month life cycle, so a six-month suspension is enforced, followed by a thorough reinspection. If more insects are found again, another six-month suspension will be levied.
Great care is taken, Mr. Gonzales said, because it has been a long time in coming for the avocado growers and processors. They would not want to create any situation that would jeopardize the deal.
APEAM, which represents Michoacan avocado producers and exporting packers, promotes the Michoacan-grown avocados. Benjamin Grayeb Ruiz, chairman of the board for APEAM, addressed a group of Michoacan avocado industry members and journalists at the 185-acre, 33-year-old avocado orchard owned by Jesus Mendez, former chairman of APEAM.
Mr. Grayeb Ruiz said that due largely to the efforts of Mexican President Vicente Fox and Javier Usabiaga, the secretary of agriculture for Mexico, a dream came true, and the U.S. market was opened to Michoacans avocados. On June 6, we celebrated the sending of 67,000 tons [of Michoacan avocados] to the U.S., as well as the total opening of the U.S. market except for California, Florida and Hawaii.
He said that the Michoacan avocado industry is prepared to send as many premium-quality avocados of any size any time to anywhere in the world as are needed.
Michoacan is a 12-month source of Hass avocados, which Mr. Grayeb Ruiz noted is beneficial for stable pricing and contract deals. Grown in the areas rich volcanic soil on its diverse topography ranging from altitudes of 4,000 feet to 8,450 feet above sea level, growers harvest from different altitudes throughout the year to realize a 12-month season.
There are 113 counties in Michoacan, 10 of which are permitted to ship avocados to the United States. There are about 74,000 acres producing avocados in these 10 counties, which annually produce about 330,700 tons of avocados for the U.S. market.
APEAMs efforts have made avocados the most lucrative crop in Michoacan. Farmers reach agreements with the packers and set the price, said Victor Moreno, consultant for the APEAM promotion committee. The packers determine the sale price, and the system ensures that the growers realize a good profit. Mr. Moreno said that the growers are enjoying the business of their life.
(Photos from this event appear in the June 20 issue of The Produce News.)
