Industry leaders highlight commitment to sustainability as they spearhead Mexico’s environmental conservation efforts, with non-compliant produce barred from export markets from January 2026
The Mexican avocado industry has announced its commitment to a binding federal conservation agreement that aims to ensure all produce exports will be deforestation-free by 2030.
As the first to enter this zero-deforestation agreement, the Mexican avocado industry said it is setting a national example and advancing its Path to Sustainability.
“It’s an honour for Mexican Avocados to lead the nation in this conservation agreement,” said Ramon Paz-Vega, strategic consultant for the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association.
”Our industry is spearheading Mexico’s zero-deforestation goals thanks to our network of over 35,000 growers and more than 90 packers, who consistently work to conserve the Avocado Landscape for future generations.
“We’re grateful for the government’s partnership in this effort – especially as we make progress under our Path to Sustainability, which expands our commitment to protecting Mexico’s forests, water, biodiversity and more,” he outlined.
The federal initiative includes accountability and monitoring mechanisms, the association pointed out.
It also has pathways to regularisation and environmental compensation, per Mexican environmental law, for eligible orchards to secure global market access.
Effective January 2026, non-compliant produce will not qualify for export.
“We appreciate the positive dialogue and collaboration with the federal government,” said Enrique Audifred, vice president of sustainability for the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico.
”This conservation agreement reflects our shared goal to restore and preserve Mexico’s forests in action.
“Our industry will continue to build a resilient and sustainable future for the Avocado Landscape of Mexico, delivering results that go far beyond this agreement,” he explained.
According to the association, the Mexican avocado industry is ”uniquely poised for success”, with at least 85 per cent of its more than 54,000 orchards expected to qualify in the first year.
A “significant economic driver” – supporting 78,000 direct jobs in Mexico and more than 42,000 US jobs – the industry’s environmental stewardship efforts will be critical for the supply chain’s longevity and communities’ vitality, it said.
The federal conservation agreement is part of Avocado Institute’s Path to Sustainability.
Launched earlier this year, the first-of-its-kind plan unites growers, packers, importers and exporters behind actionable goals regarding zero-deforestation, water stewardship, ecological connectivity and biodiversity.
