U.S. halts Avocado inspections in Mexico's Michoacán State over security threat; Mexico deploys 1,500 troops

The United States suspended government operations and USDA avocado inspections in Michoacán on August 5, 2026, citing security threats. In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum deployed 1,500 additional troops to protect production areas and requested urgent talks to resume exports. The suspension follows the arrest of cartel leader Alfonso 'El Poncho' Fernández Magallón. The halt threatens a multi-billion dollar trade pipeline, as Mexico supplies up to 90% of U.S. avocados.

U.S. avocado inspection suspension

• ▪Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla stated that the U.S. suspension of avocado inspections was a preventive measure to safeguard workers following recent high-profile arrests of individuals linked to extortion.
• ▪Juan Carlos Venegas, a representative of the Michoacán avocado industry, stated that Mexican authorities were downplaying the security threat and that growers face total uncertainty.
• ▪The United States suspended all government operations in the Mexican state of Michoacán on August 5, 2026, including halting required USDA avocado inspections, due to a non-specific threat to U.S. interests.

Cartel extortion in Michoacán

• ▪An anonymous Michoacán avocado producer stated that he pays cartels 1 peso per kilo exported in extortion fees, amounting to over $5,000 in daily payments on his 90 metric tons of daily exports.
• ▪Mexican authorities arrested Alfonso Fernández Magallón, alias 'El Poncho,' a local cartel leader operating in the avocado-growing region of Los Reyes, for whom the U.S. had offered a $5 million reward.
• ▪Numerous drug cartels operate in Michoacán, engaging in violence and extorting the avocado industry by demanding payments from growers, packers, and transporters.

Mexico troop deployment response

• ▪Michoacán State Security Secretary Antonio Cruz deployed 300 security personnel to the Los Reyes area as a preventive measure following the arrest of Alfonso Fernández Magallón.
• ▪Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requested an urgent meeting with the U.S. embassy to propose resuming avocado inspections with the presence of Mexican national food safety supervisors.
• ▪Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on August 6, 2026, that Mexico is deploying 1,500 additional National Guard and Army troops to Michoacán to bolster security in avocado production areas.

U.S.-Mexico avocado trade dependence

• ▪Michoacán and Jalisco are the only two Mexican states authorized by the USDA to export avocados to the United States, with Jalisco exporting a much smaller volume.
• ▪The avocado industry in Michoacán is a major economic driver that employs approximately 200,000 people, making prolonged export halts highly damaging to the local economy.
• ▪Mexico supplies approximately 80% to 90% of the avocados consumed in the United States, with sales to the U.S. totaling between $3.65 billion and $4 billion in 2025.

Previous inspection halt precedents

• ▪In 2024, the United States suspended avocado imports from Michoacán after two USDA employees were assaulted and temporarily held by assailants in the state.
• ▪In early 2022, the United States paused Michoacán avocado imports for a week on the eve of the Super Bowl after a USDA inspector received a threatening phone call.