Mexican avocados

The Mexican Secretariat of Commerce and Industry has handed the 2010 National Export Award to the Avocado Producers & Exporting Packers Association of Michoacán (APEAM) for its efforts in improving the country's standing in international markets.

The award, which has been given out annually since 1993 on behalf of the Secretariat of Commerce and Industry president, was accepted by outgoing APEAM chairman Alejandro Alvarez del Toro, The Packer reported.

'This is a national honour of which are exceptionally proud, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the people and APEAM members who worked diligently to garner such recognition,' said new APEAM chairman Ricardo Vega López in a press statement.

In addition to Mr López, APEAM has elected a number of other new board members, including new vice-president Francisco Falconi Pardo, secretary Rigoberto Lemus Murillo and treasurer Octavo Gonzalez Villanueva.