Vast stretches of forest are being destroyed at an alarming rate, precious water resources are being plundered, and communities are facing a grim reality of abductions and killings. This devastating situation is all linked to one popular fruit.
The insatiable demand from the United States for Mexican avocados, a market worth billions, is the primary driver behind this crisis. The immense profits have led to years of illegal deforestation and attracted criminal cartels who extort farmers with threats of violence.
Past attempts to curb this environmental devastation and criminal involvement have mostly fallen short. Now, an innovative group is turning to the power of the market to transform the industry’s harmful practices.
This new initiative introduces a certification program for avocado orchards and businesses. Its goal is to stop decades of forest destruction by clearly tracking the origin of avocados. By offering real-time alerts on deforestation, it also provides crucial information for authorities to intervene.
Guillermo Naranjo, a federal environmental inspector in Michoacán — the global hub for avocado production — expressed cautious optimism, stating, “We have never, ever been this close to truly halting deforestation.”
The Environmental Toll: How Avocado Demand Devastates Mexican Forests
Following the lifting of a U.S. ban on Mexican avocados in 1997, the industry boomed, bringing significant wealth and reducing poverty, but at a severe cost to the environment, according to experts and officials.
Mr. Naranjo noted the uncontrolled clearing of forests, adding, “No one is stopping these illegal land use changes — all of which are illegal.”
While Mexican law mandates a federal permit for converting forests into orchards, officials confirm that no such permits have been granted in Michoacán since the late 1980s. The illegal deforestation involves various actors, including criminal gangs, private landowners, and even corrupt local and community leaders.
A 2023 report by Climate Rights International revealed that over the past decade, avocado farming led to the destruction of approximately 70,000 acres of forest in Michoacán and Jalisco, the only Mexican states permitted to export avocados to the U.S.
Moreover, avocado orchards are incredibly water-intensive, consuming significantly more water than native forests. This excessive demand is draining local streams and aquifers, negatively impacting nearby communities.
This dire situation spurred a coalition of U.S. senators and a consumer association to pressure the four main American avocado importers, eventually leading to a lawsuit against these companies.
Unpacking the New Anti-Deforestation Strategy
Last year, Michoacán State, in collaboration with the nonprofit Guardián Forestal, approached American importers. They presented a clear message: a list of suppliers linked to recently deforested orchards.
The companies were invited to join a voluntary certification program. This system leverages publicly available satellite imagery to ensure adherence to strict standards. To achieve certification, packers must guarantee that their avocados come exclusively from orchards that have been deforestation-free since 2018 and free from forest fires since 2012.
Heriberto Padilla, Guardián Forestal’s director, emphasized the program’s transparency: “The system enhances transparency. You don’t have to trust us; you can access the data directly.” He added that the high stakes for packers, who fear retailers discovering non-compliance, are driving widespread adoption.
Orchards can also obtain certification for a fee, a portion of which is reinvested into local communities to support their conservation projects.
Initial Reactions to the Conservation Program
Early signs suggest the program is having an impact: avocados intended for the U.S. market are now visibly left unharvested in orchards that fail to meet the new compliance standards.
Luis Miguel Gaitán, a manager at Tanim Avocados, a Mexican packinghouse that has seen some of its partners cut off, described the sudden change: “It happened very abruptly, overnight. Naturally, producers are upset.”
However, Gaitán views it as a necessary trade-off, stating, “Business is important, but we must act responsibly if we want to leave a legacy for our children.”
While some environmental activists believe the 2018 baseline is too recent to undo decades of damage, they acknowledge that this program represents a crucial first step toward meaningful change.
Nuria Yamada, a 33-year-old activist, highlighted the program’s significance: “Before this, we had nothing. The program shines a small light in an area that has been completely dark for years.”
Conversely, critics argue the program is overly burdensome and disregards industry concerns. In response, the federal government and an association of avocado exporters are developing their own mandatory plan, slated for implementation next year.
Furthermore, some growers have opted not to participate, expressing reservations about the transparency and allocation of the fees collected.
Measuring the Program’s Impact
Both experts and Guardián Forestal report a noticeable slowdown or stabilization in deforestation rates across several municipalities, indicating a reduced motivation for growers to clear land.
Alberto Gómez-Tagle, a researcher specializing in the avocado industry’s environmental impact, concluded, “It’s simply no longer profitable to deforest.”
However, it’s still too early to definitively attribute these changes solely to the new program.
Moreover, the program has limited influence over the pervasive criminal activities of cartels. These groups have deeply infiltrated the avocado industry, using it to diversify their income and claim a share of the profits. In a related development, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned members of two such criminal organizations in August for their involvement in illegal logging and extortion.
Experts also warn of potential loopholes, where some growers might expand orchards in unmonitored states, then transport uncertified avocados to Michoacán for export, effectively circumventing the program.