After thorough risk assessment, APHIS authorizes the entry of Guatemalan Hass avocados into the U.S., implementing strict safety protocols to protect local agriculture.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is now allowing the importation of fresh Hass avocados from Guatemala into the United States.
The decision, effective as of its publication in the Federal Register on November 8, 2024, marks a significant development in U.S.-Guatemala trade relations, particularly within the agricultural sector.
APHIS reached this decision following a comprehensive analysis, affirming that the fresh Hass avocados from Guatemala can be imported safely with the implementation of appropriate safeguards.
This detailed assessment involved examining potential risks related to plant pests or noxious weeds, with APHIS concluding that a systems-based approach can mitigate these concerns effectively.
This strategy includes requirements for specific measures in the production and handling of the avocados, such as registration of packinghouses and production sites, as well as the application of additional protective protocols.
Only commercial-grade avocados from registered facilities will qualify for import, underscoring the agency’s commitment to minimizing risks associated with invasive species or plant diseases that could affect U.S. agriculture.
As stated in the report, APHIS’s analysis identified that these controls are essential to prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests or weeds that could threaten U.S. crops and natural resources.
APHIS has a longstanding mission to protect U.S. agriculture and natural resources from invasive pests and diseases.
Beyond regulating the health standards of imports, APHIS also works to certify the health of American agricultural exports, resolving issues related to plant and animal health to ensure that U.S. products meet the standards of international markets.
Through its regulation of genetically engineered crops and administration of the Animal Welfare Act, APHIS plays a crucial role in maintaining a balance between agricultural progress and environmental safety. This latest authorization of Guatemalan Hass avocados aligns with APHIS’s broader objective of opening, expanding, and sustaining international markets for U.S. plant and animal products while safeguarding local agriculture.
This new import pathway is expected to strengthen trade ties between the U.S. and Guatemala and provide American consumers with more access to fresh Hass avocados, meeting growing demand for the fruit. APHIS’s careful, scientifically grounded decision-making serves as a model for managing agricultural imports, demonstrating that economic opportunity and biosecurity can be effectively balanced.
