According to Secma, 37 packhouses in Michoacán and Jalisco have obtained Pro Forest Avocado certification to date
Ninety per cent of avocados exported from Mexico to the US are currently free from deforestation thanks to advances made in the roll out of the Pro Forest Avocado voluntary certification scheme.
According to Alejandro Méndez López, head of the Ministry of the Environment for the state of Michoacán, (Secma), 37 packing plants in the states of Michoacán and Jalisco have obtained this compliance certification to date, demonstrating the industry’s commitment to upholding international environmental standards.
The certification mandates that the product be free from deforestation recorded after January 2018 and prohibits the purchase of fruit from properties that have suffered fires since January 2012, as well as from those with pending environmental complaints.
Méndez López noted that more than 900,000 avocado harvest inspections have been carried out with the Forest Guardian programme, guaranteeing forest conservation and good production practices.
The Pro Forest Avocado voluntary certification scheme offers environmental benefits such as complete traceability, total independence from producers and packers, and genuine environmental due diligence.
It will soon be strengthened with the implementation of water footprint verification for each harvest through the Water Guardian programme, ensuring the sustainability of the process.
