Avocado Shipments to the U.S. continue to grow

Even though the Michoac avocado was introduced to the United States market 13 years ago, exports to that nation have been increasing. During 2009-2010 season, shipments accounted for just over 31,000 tons.
Regarding the European market, the Michoac avocado faces hard competition from Israel, South Africa and Peru; according to official data from the Association of Producers, Packers and Exporters of Avocado of Michoac (APEAM).
Accusations regarding a bug in the Mexican avocado, that would damage U.S crops in California, kept this product under an 81 year embargo; it could not enter the States.
After the embargo was lifted in 1997, the first shipment of avocados from Michoac left to the U.S from the central plaza of Uruapan; the only kind that is exported from the country to the United States.
In that time, 6,032 tons of fruit were sent to the United States, during a period of 4 months.
13 years later, during the 2009-2010 season, when shipments already got their revenues for the entire year, to all the states of the northern neighbour; shipments of the fruit that have brought fame to Michoac amounted 270,215 tons.
However, this figure was 31,333 tons less than the previous season, 2008-2009, when shipments sold accounted for 301,548 tons.
From 1997 until the last day of 2010, shipments of avocados from Michoac to the American Union amount to 1,478,577 tons.