As violence eases in Mexico, the USDA resumes fresh produce inspections
This is a developing story... | LAST UPDATE: Tuesday, February 25 at 11:54 AM EST
The situation on the ground continues to be precarious in Mexico, after a wave of violence erupted on Sunday in retaliation for a military action against the powerful Jalisco New Generation cartel. Gunshots and highway blockades disrupted daily life for a couple of days and severely affected the packing and harvesting of several local crops, including limes, mangoes, and avocados. The last two are especially important to the states of Jalisco and Michoacan, as most of their production is shipped to the US.
American agents of the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS), who traditionally provide on-site certification services to export Mexican crops across the border, were instructed to stay away from packing houses. This temporarily shut down exports, immediately affecting the US supply.
Slowly returning to normal in Jalisco and other Mexican regions
As the days go by, the situation across the country remains delicate, but there are signs of a gradual return to normal.
Fresh produce broker Markon Cooperative reported intermittent delays on roads connecting to the Nogales, Arizona, and McAllen, Texas border crossings, but assured that there are no confirmed closures of US ports of entry at this time. Caution and shelter‑in‑place measures remain in place in certain areas, including Jalisco, delaying harvesting, packing, and logistics operations in commodities such as limes, mixed berries, strawberries, and green onions.
In a blog post published on Tuesday, February 24, Nissa Pierson, of Crespo Organic mangoes, said that after 48 hours, the situation has partially shifted, as USDA inspections in Oaxaca and Chiapas, the only two regions currently packing organic mangoes, have resumed. However, transportation to the US border remains challenging.
"The broader Mexico-wide logistics picture is still significantly disrupted," she wrote. "Reports of trucking delays from various shippers are ongoing. Roadblocks may be diminishing, but they have not disappeared entirely, and we should expect those delays to continue into the near term. Trucking capacity is tightened across Mexico, and a logistics slowdown is in effect industry-wide."
She was adamant that the situation can change drastically from region to region, so disruptions may not affect all commodities and categories equally.
In their own member communications, National Mango Board Executive Director Ramon Ojeda informed that violence had somewhat diminished overnight, but the situation remains precarious. He confirmed Pierson's report on resumed USDA/APHIS activity in Oaxaca and Chiapas, and also reported that starting Wednesday, February 25, inspection services in Nayarit, Michoacan, and the city of Aguascalientes will resume.
Regarding the states of Colima and Guerrero, Ojeda detailed that the USDA/APHIS services remain suspended until further notice.
"We realize this is still an evolving situation and will actively continue to monitor and report on action plans and ongoing progress related to the safety of industry members and the full restoration of the Mexican mango supply chain," said the NMB executive director.
Likewise, good news is arriving from the avocado industry. The Mexican Association of Avocado Producers and Exporters (APEAM) informed of the total reactivation of USDA/APHIS activities starting Wednesday, February 25, as the agency's "personnel are arriving at their job posts as normal."
"We'll be able to resume industry operations in Michoacán and Jalisco, emphasizing the importance of enforcing every measure necessary to assure the safety and integrity of workers in the field," APEAM said.
Supply disruptions might still be on the horizon
Even though enough avocados, mangoes, and limes were reported to last for at least two weeks, it is unclear whether conditions on the ground have gone back to business as usual. High traffic at border crossings remains a possibility, which could affect the continuity of fresh produce supply in the US.
Mexico experienced major disruptions after a military operation by the Ministry of Defense resulted in the death of cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes. In the city of Puerto Vallarta, for example, gunmen from the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel could be heard on the streets, sending tourists and locals into hiding.
Since Monday morning, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has praised her country’s armed forces and assured that normal activity had resumed across the country, though reports continue to pour in depicting a fragile quiet and fear.
*Main image courtesy of The Produce Alliance; all other images are referential.
*Additional reporting by Macarena Bravo.
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