It argues the measure is necessary for US food security and the sustainability of national production
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has called for the establishment of quotas on Mexican avocado imports between March and September to protect US producers and restore market balance.
As part of the upcoming review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the CAC suggested using Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to justify the tariff-rate quota, emphasizing US food security and the sustainability of domestic production.
In comments issued by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), Mexico was also urged to reinstate the 1997 Department of Agriculture phytosanitary inspection protocol for avocado imports.
The commission pointed out that since the beginning of 2024, representatives of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) had to be withdrawn due to security concerns and replaced by Mexican inspectors.
“The CAC emphasizes the need to reinstate Aphis inspections to prevent pest outbreaks, which could increase treatment costs and threaten the viability of California’s avocado industry,” the commission stated.
The commission also expressed concern about fair trade practices, pointing out that while the US imports 1.36mn tonnes of avocado imports from Mexico, it doesn’t export any to its southern neighbour.
With the USMCA scheduled for review in July 2026, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her confidence that the agreement will remain in place, as the US government “knows how important Mexico is to the economic strength of North America”.
