Mexico Avocado Growers Burn Up to 52 Tonnes

MEXICO · AGRICULTURE

Growers in Mexico’s avocado belt burned up to 52 tonnes of export fruit after weevil larvae turned up. The state confirmed the pest, but no export ban, loss estimate or restart date for held shipments has been published.

Mexican avocado growers burned up to 52 tonnes of export fruit in Peribán, western Michoacán, after weevil larvae were found. Alejandro Méndez, Michoacán’s environment secretary, confirmed the pest on Sunday, 1 November, and said suspect lots stayed off the market.

Mexico is the main source of US avocados, so a pest in the Michoacán belt matters to American buyers. Senasica, Mexico’s national agri-food health agency, took part in the destruction and backed it.

What Growers Destroyed and Where

Up to 52 tonnes (about 115,000 pounds) were destroyed, a maximum that could change as inspections continue. The fruit was burned and buried in pits under pest-control protocols.

The fruit came from Jalisco, Colima and Nayarit, three other western avocado states, and was meant for the US market. It was destroyed in Peribán, with Senasica staff and a state plant-health board present.

Dates differ between accounts: two place the burning on Thursday, 29 October, while later ones say the weekend. A growers’ union says the pest was only suspected, with no official diagnosis.

Why Shipments Are Under Scrutiny

Under the US federal rule for Mexican Hass avocados, fruit may enter only from approved orchards in municipalities inspected for named pests. The 2011 text of the rule names several seed weevils and a seed moth.

As written, a detection means the affected orchard loses certification until US and Mexican plant-health agencies agree the fix worked. The rule relies on fruit cuts at packing houses and at US ports of entry.

Mexican accounts say shipments bound for export were held, and no number has been given. APHIS, the US Department of Agriculture’s plant-health inspection service, has published no statement on the case.

A Growers’ Stoppage Is Also Straining Supply

Separately, small Michoacán growers stopped cutting fruit on Friday, 23 October, to demand better prices. The union wants about 40 pesos a kilo (about US$2.13 at 18.8 pesos per US$), against about 15 pesos (about US$0.80) now.

APEAM, the association of Michoacán avocado exporters and packers, met growers and state officials on 27 October without a deal. It warned that the actions put the export program at risk, and no restart date is known.

What It Means for US Readers

Mexico, led by Michoacán, is the main source of US avocados, so a long stoppage can tighten shelves. Shoppers and restaurants should watch for price moves, though no official export suspension over the pest has been cited.

The wider concern is a pest spread or a lasting export hold, and neither has been reported. The 52 tonnes are small beside US demand, which runs into tens of millions of kilograms a week.

Related reports: US Restarts Avocado Checks In Michoacán After Security Deal and Mexico Deploys 1,557 Personnel to Secure Michoacán Avocado Trade. More is on the Mexico hub, with guides to who runs the economy and who holds power.

The capital is covered on the Mexico City page. Readers heading to Michoacán should check US State Department travel advice first.

What Is Not Known

Senasica has not published which weevil species was found, and no US agency has commented. The 52-tonne figure is a stated maximum, and no loss estimate has been issued.

It is unknown how many shipments were held, or whether any left Mexico. The exact date of the burning is also unclear, with accounts split between 29 October and the weekend.

The claim that the pest halted exports is not confirmed. Shipments were held, but no official export suspension was cited and no date for held shipments to resume is known.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many avocados were destroyed in Mexico?

Up to 52 tonnes (about 115,000 pounds), a maximum that could change as inspections continue. Growers burned and buried the fruit under pest-control protocols.

Which pest was found in the avocados?

Larvae of an avocado seed weevil, a beetle whose grubs bore into the fruit’s pit. Michoacán’s environment secretary confirmed it, but the species has not been named.

Has Mexico stopped avocado exports to the US?

No official export suspension over the pest has been cited. Some shipments were held, and a separate growers’ harvest stoppage since 23 October has strained supply.

Is the growers’ harvest stoppage still on?

As of 31 October, cutting remained suspended and no restart date was known. Growers want higher farm prices, and talks with exporters had produced no deal.

Who is Senasica?

Senasica is Mexico’s national agri-food health agency. Its staff took part in the destruction, but it has issued no statement of its own.

Sources: Alejandro Méndez, Michoacán state environment secretary, statement of 1 November 2026; Senasica and Mexico Agriculture Ministry (no statement on this case located as of 2 November 2026); US federal rule 7 CFR 319.56-30, Mexican Hass avocado import program (govinfo edition of 2011; the current text was not reachable); USDA APHIS (no statement on this case located). Exchange rate: about 18.8 pesos per US$ (2 November 2026).