Over a week ago, the United States decided to ban avocados from Michoacán, Mexico due to a U.S. plant safety inspector receiving a death threat over the phone, sparking the whole situation. The inspector was responsible for making sure that avocados do not carry harmful pests into the U.S. At the time, avocado prices were increasing in supermarkets and it was expected that Michoacán would be greatly affected. Eight out of 10 avocados purchased in the United States are from Michoacán. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, in 2021 the U.S. imported $2.8 billion worth of avocados from Mexico.

     Not to mention that this ban occurred right before the Super Bowl when the majority of Americans buy avocados to make the popular dip, guacamole. Luckily, the ban did not make too much of an impact since there were already avocados in the U.S.

     The U.S. lifted the ban on Feb. 18. According to The New York Times, the United States Department of Agriculture said in a statement that they worked with agencies in Mexico to enact more safety measures for its inspectors. They did not elaborate on those measures. The export of the avocados resumed on Feb. 21. 

     Mark Davidson, an administrator at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s plant protection and quarantine program, said in a statement that all parties were glad to see a resolution. 

     “The popularity of Mexican avocados is undeniable,” Davidson said.