Titan Farms is the first peach grower in Georgia and South Carolina to send produce to Mexico since 1994, reports the Associated Press.
Southern US peaches were banned by Mexican authorities amid concerns about invasive pests 17 years ago, but an agreement was reached earlier this year to start exports again.
Titan Farms, the largest peach grower in the two US states, is scrutinised by a Mexican inspector and the company estimates that around 1,000 peaches in each of its 13 1,540-box consignments have been cut open, inspected and discarded.
The protocol for certified shipments is stringent, but the opportunity is great.
Duke Lane III, the president of the Georgia Peach Council, said: 'Mexico is an untapped market for peaches. With the current prices of fuel and labor and inputs, we need to take advantage of all opportunities.'
Final clearance to begin sending peaches across the border only came when the Southern season – which runs from May to September – was well underway, but it is expected that more farms will join Titan in exporting to Mexico from next year.
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