Mexico Opens Avocado Market in Brazil Following Bilateral Agreement

Mexico will begin exporting Hass avocados to Brazil after both countries signed an Operational Work Plan (PTO) outlining the phytosanitary rules for the trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced.

“Good news! The Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil has informed me that the protocol allowing the importation of Mexican avocado —the best in the world— into that sister nation has been published, to the delight of its 200 million consumers,” wrote Minister Julio Berdegué Sacristán on his X account.

The agreement was made official on July 17, when Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) issued Ordinance SDA/MAPA No. 1336, detailing the phytosanitary requirements for fresh avocado shipments from Mexico. The regulation took effect upon publication.

The PTO, negotiated between Mexico’s National Service for Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) and MAPA technical staff, sets out the procedures that Mexican producers must follow to ensure the fruit is free from quarantine pests of concern to Brazil, such as avocado seed borers.

Senasica will be responsible for authorizing Mexican orchards and packing facilities that comply with the protocol to be included in the export program to Brazil.

Mexico is currently the world’s leading avocado producer, with nearly three million tons harvested annually. About 46% of its output is exported to markets such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Spain, China, the United Arab Emirates — and now, Brazil.