The U.S. suspended all imports of Mexican avocados that could send prices to near-record highs in the coming weeks on diminishing supplies if the ban remains in place. The reason for the import halt is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspector was threatened by what is presumed to be drug cartel members.
"U.S. health authorities…made the decision after one of their officials, who was carrying out inspections in Uruapan, Michoacan, received a threatening message on his official cellphone," Mexico's Agriculture Department said in a statement. -AP News
The surprise halt comes as the price of a 20-pound box of avocados from the state of Michoacan, Mexico (the central hub of Mexican avocado production) is approximately $26.89, the highest ever for this time of year with data going back to 1998.
Poster Comment:
Darn!! I eat avocados.