California Republicans urge Trump administration to curb Mexican avocado imports over cartel concerns
A group of California Republican congressmen have asked the Trump administration to restrict avocado imports from Mexico, saying cartels use the trade to manipulate U.S. markets and hurt American growers.
Seven California Republican members of Congress—James Gallagher, Jay Obernolte, Ken Calvert, Young Kim, David Valadao, Darrell Issa and Vince Fong—have written to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer asking for stricter limits on avocado imports from Mexico’s Michoacan and Jalisco states. The lawmakers contend that drug cartels exploit the avocado supply chain, creating sudden import spikes that drive down U.S. prices and threaten California growers.
They note that cartels have seized farms, interfere with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service inspections, and control transportation routes, prompting Mexico to deploy its military to the region. The request seeks to embed these limits in ongoing USMCA negotiations, aiming to curb cartel profits while preserving a modest flow of Mexican avocados for American consumers. Gallagher says the measures would give U.S. producers a fair chance to compete, especially during critical weeks of the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The initiative reflects broader concerns about criminal influence on cross-border agricultural trade.
