New Mexican regulations boost avocado sustainability for global markets

Written and reported by Macarena Bravo | Lee esta noticia en Español 

The Mexican Government established actions to guarantee compliance with phytosanitary, deforestation-free, and dignified labor provisions throughout the avocado export chain. 

The provision was jointly issued by the local departments of Agriculture, Environment, and Labor, as well as the Mexican Institute of Social Security. 

Through these actions, Mexico reaffirms its commitment to sustainable rural development, environmental and labor justice, and the protection of human rights in the local industry.

From a retail perspective, these legal guarantees cater to a growing segment of the market that demands more from the food they consume. 

Deforestation-free avocados

The agreement establishes that sustainable avocado production and export in Mexico must be carried out on deforestation-free land. 

This means avocado orchards must have been certified deforestation-free since 2019, under technical parameters set by the Mexican Secretary of Environment. Production land must also have a certification provided by the local Department of Agriculture, through the National Service of Health, Food Safety, and Agri-food Quality.

Additionally, growers of sustainable avocados in Mexico must also comply with national and international phytosanitary standards and guarantee fair and safe labor conditions for agricultural workers. The latter entails the complete ban of child labor.

A system to ensure sustainable avocados

Among the most relevant provisions in the document is the creation of an Interinstitutional Technical Commission, which will be headed by the Mexican Department of Agriculture. 

The agency will coordinate the implementation, monitoring, and verification of these actions, as well as the issuance of complementary administrative provisions that will take effect on April 1, 2026.

The agreement also states that within 60 days following Friday, October 24, the agencies will issue administrative provisions establishing operational guidelines and procedures in accordance with their respective attributions.