Mexico destroys 52 tons of avocados due to seed weevil pest

Mexican avocado producers have destroyed approximately 52 tons of fruit following the detection of avocado seed weevil larvae in shipments intended for international export. The pest, which can damage tree branches, trunks, and seeds, was identified in produce originating from the states of Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit.

To prevent the spread of the infestation, authorities and producers implemented emergency protocols, which included emptying truckloads into pits to be burned and buried. The disposal process was supported by the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica). Alejandro Méndez, Michoacán’s Environment Minister, confirmed that the contaminated fruit was intercepted and had not entered the consumer market.

This incident occurs amid broader challenges for the Mexican avocado sector, including harvest disruptions and pricing volatility. While the seed weevil does not pose a direct health risk to humans, it causes significant economic damage by necessitating the disposal of large quantities of crops and threatening the integrity of export programs.