Breezy Explainer: Why did the US ban Mexican avocados before the Super Bowl?

Ahead of the Super Bowl, the US government suspended the import of Mexican avocado. The suspension is following a threat received by an American plat safety inspector.

Mexican avocado: Imports temporarily paused

Mexico acknowledged that the American government has suspended the import of Mexican avocado after a US plant safety inspector stationed in Mexico received a threat. The suspension is temporary and was confirmed on Sunday. It was on the eve of the Super Bowl. The game is one of the biggest annual sales opportunities for growers who cultivate Mexcian avocado. Mexican avocado exporters have been using pricey ads for a decade. They have helped in associating guacamole with an important Super Bowl tradition. However, this time, it does not affect game-day consumption since they were shipped before the suspension.

As of now, the US government has suspended imports. “The U.S. government suspended all imports of Mexican avocados “until further notice” after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threatening message,” stated Mexico’s Agriculture Department. “U.S. health authorities decided on one of their officials, who was carrying out inspections in Uruapan, Michoacan, received a threatening message on his official cellphone,” they added.

The real reason for the ban

This year’s Mexican avocado ad shows Julius Caesar and gladiator fans outside the Colosseum. They are soothing their differences by enjoying avocados and guacamole. However, the growers association has not commented on the ban. The ban can lead to an almost $3 billion hit on the annual exports. Until 1997, the US had a ban on avocados. It was for ensuring that scabs, pests, and weevils do not enter the avocado orchards in the US. Additionally, it is not the first time that cartels in Mexico have threatened avocados in Michoacan. The ban is a threat to the country’s export trade. But, it is arising from the Mexican government’s incompetence in reining the illegal activities.

“For future situations that result in a security breach, or demonstrate an imminent physical threat to the well-being of APHIS personnel, we will immediately suspend program activities,” said the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Moreover, “facilitating the export of Mexican avocados to the U.S. and guaranteeing the safety of our agricultural inspection personnel go hand in hand. We are working with the Mexican government to guarantee security conditions that would allow our personnel in Michoacan to resume operations” wrote the US Embassy on social media.

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