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SAN DIEGO - 10/19/05 - California's avocado industry is reportedly pleased with a new agreement that will allow Hass avocados from the state to be sold in most parts of Mexico immediately, and in all parts of Mexico within a year.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said that it has reached a deal with the Mexican government that allows growers to export California-grown Hass avocados to Mexico, with certain conditions.
 
For example, the Mexican government requires the fruit to be free of stems, leaves and other plant parts, and placed in a properly marked box, according to news release issued by the USDA.
According to USDA estimates, the agreement with Mexico will boost California avocado sales by as much as $24 million dollars.

About half of California's avocados come from North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County. Nearly 90% of America's avocado crop is produced in California.

"Hopefully, this is sort of the first step to pursuing other markets abroad," said Tom Bellamore, senior vice president and corporate counsel for the California Avocado Commission, which serves as the research and marketing arm for the state's avocado industry.

He added that China is one place where California growers would like to sell their fruit.

Even with the international opportunities, America remains a key market for the industry, Bellamore said.

"The industry recognizes there's still enormous growth potential in the U.S. market, and California growers want to sell to the United States," Bellamore said. "I think the California industry might turn an eye to foreign markets, maybe at certain times of the year when avocado purchases [in the US] might be down a bit."

Since 1999, the American government has been trying to gain wider access to Mexico for California avocado growers, the USDA said in its news release.

In addition to being the world's largest avocado producer, Mexico is among the world's top consumers of the fruit, according to the Sacramento-based California Avocado Commission.

For the past two years, a discretionary permit had been required to get the American fruit shipped to Tijuana and Mexicali, Bellamore said.

Under the new agreement, California avocados can be sold and distributed during the next 12 months in all Mexican states except Michoacan, Jalisco, Morelos, Puebla, and Nayarit.
After that, California Hass avocados can been distributed to all Mexican states.

The deal adds balance to a previous USDA policy change that went into effect Jan. 31, allowing Mexican Hass avocado growers greater access to American markets.
The Mexican fruit cannot be exported to California, Florida, and Hawaii for the first two years, but can be sold in 47 American states year-round.

Before January 31, the Mexican fruit was sold only in 31 states, between October 15 and April 15.

"It certainly appears that there's a possibility that Mexico's recent decision is a result of a favorable response to being granted more access to the U.S. market," said Bellamore.

"In any case," he added, "we're pleased that we can sell our avocados in more parts of Mexico."

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