Michoacán Sedeco clarifies avocado labor certification requirements

The Secretariat of Economic Development (Sedeco) in Michoacán has clarified that avocado producers are not required to obtain the Labor Certificate for Agro-exportation (CLA). This responsibility rests exclusively with exporting companies, who must manage the certificate through the Velagro platform, even if they are also involved in production or packing.

Regarding social security, producers with orchards of five hectares or less who work solely with family members—such as spouses and children—are not required to register as employers with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). However, if they employ workers outside of their family, they must comply with all applicable labor and social security obligations.

While packing facilities may request information to identify production units in their supply chain—including tax IDs (RFC), orchard identification, and geolocation—this does not mandate that the producer obtain the CLA. Sedeco is coordinating with the federal Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare to provide guidance and ensure legal certainty across the agro-export chain.