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MEXICO CITY — <\/span>Mexico began sending 1,500 more troops to the western state of Michoacan on Thursday, a day after the U.S. announced the suspension of government operations in that region<\/a> \u2014 including halting avocado inspections required for their export \u2014 because of a non-specific threat to U.S. interests.<\/p>\n Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the increase of security in avocado production areas to spur the resumption of the exports as soon as possible and to prevent any serious impact on Mexico\u2019s economy or U.S. supply.<\/p>\n The United States is a major consumer of Mexican avocados: More than 80% of the avocados consumed come from its southern neighbor, amounting to $3.7 billion in sales for Mexico in 2025. <\/p>\n But before export, U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors verify the quality on-site to prevent pests from entering the country. Without inspections, imports stop and prices in the U.S. may increase.<\/p>\n These agricultural inspections were suspended on Wednesday for security reasons in Michoacan, the main avocado producer and an area with high cartel activity. <\/p>\n It\u2019s not the first time the exports have been halted \u2014 a pause in early 2022<\/a> on the eve of the Super Bowl lasted a week, though it didn\u2019t impact game day guacamole consumption because those avocados had already been shipped. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at what\u2019s driving the shutdown:<\/p>\n Numerous cartels operate in Michoacan, which is the main state exporting avocados to the United States and one of just two states authorized to do so. In Michoacan, the cartels produce and traffic drugs and engage in violence and extortion across multiple industries, including the avocado industry where payments to the cartels can impact prices of the fruit.<\/p>\n Previous pauses on exports were triggered by violence against U.S. inspectors \u2014 in 2024, two USDA employees were assaulted<\/a> and temporarily held by assailants in Michoacan. This time, no specific incident was reported, and Michoacan authorities stated that the suspension was \u201cpreventive\u201d due to recent arrests linked to extortion cases.<\/p>\n The California Avocado Commission, which supports the state\u2019s avocado industry, called for stronger monitoring of fruit headed to the U.S. after a pest was reported at a Mexico packinghouse and said cartels shouldn\u2019t be allowed to intervene in the industry.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Trump administration is right to protect American personnel and confront the cartels,\u201d Ken Melban, the commission\u2019s president, said in a statement, adding that \u201ccartels cannot be allowed to exploit the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to undercut American growers and destroy domestic production.\u201d<\/p>\n Avocado consumption has soared in the United States in recent decades, and California grows only a fraction of the avocados needed to meet that demand.<\/p>\n Mexican analyst David Saucedo believes that issues with avocado exports are among the reasons the Trump administration has designated four cartels operating in Michoac\u00e1n as terrorist organizations<\/a>. <\/p>\n