U.S.: Hawaiian avocados approved for mainland sales - FreshFruitPortal.com

U.S.: Hawaiian avocados approved for mainland sales

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U.S.: Hawaiian avocados approved for mainland sales

The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has decided untreated Hawaiian Sharwil avocados are safe for movement to the country's mainland.Sharwil2 small - CTAHR Hawaii edu

The final rule posted on the Federal Register means that these varieties will no longer need to undergo fumigation or cold treatment, which can adversely affect quality.

Growers will however need to undertake a system approach, including requirements for registration and monitoring of places of production and packinghouses, an orchard trapping program, grove sanitation, and limits on harvest periods and distribution areas

In addition, packing requirements will be such that only intact fruit that have been protected against infestation are allowed to be shipped interstate.

Hawaii is expected to ship 180 metric tons (MT) of the variety to the mainland annually, representing 1% of the U.S. non-Hass avocado supply, and 0.005% of all avocado varieties in the U.S.

"They will be shipped between November and March, supplementing winter supplies," the rule said.

"While the rule should benefit Hawaii's avocado producers...the quantity that is expected to be shipped would not significantly affect the mainland avocado market overall or the more limited market for non-Hass varieties.

"Any market effects of the rule could be expected to be borne proportionately by avocados supplied from abroad during the winter months."

Photo: University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR)

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