Michoacan Launches Certification to Combat Illegal Avocado Farming

Michoacan state, known as Mexico’s avocado heartland, has initiated a certification program to help U.S. and global consumers identify avocados not grown on illegally deforested land. The program monitors compliance through satellite imagery and aims to promote environmental sustainability by providing transparent sourcing information.

Michoacan state, Mexico's avocado heartland, launched a new certification program on Wednesday to assist consumers in the United States and other nations in distinguishing avocados grown on legally recognized land.

The certification will attest that avocados are cultivated on permitted orchards and on land that has not been illegally cleared post-2018 nor affected by forest fires since 2012. Amid soaring avocado exports to the U.S., which were valued at $3 billion last year, this initiative addresses the significant deforestation issues plaguing Michoacan and Jalisco.

The program involves automatic complaints filed with the state's attorney general when satellite images indicate non-compliance with certification standards, offering transparency but not outright banning exports. "We want to ensure that the consumer ... has the certainty that it is an avocado free of environmental cruelty," stated Michoacan's Secretary of Environment Alejandro Mendez.

While praised by advocates like Daniel Wilkinson of Climate Rights International, the success of this initiative will ultimately hinge on corporate participation, despite concerns about undetected illegal orchards.

(With inputs from agencies.)