A group of seven Republican members of California's congressional delegation has called on the Trump administration to implement 'reasonable and enforceable' limits on sudden surges of Mexican avocado imports, citing concerns that cartel influence in Mexico's avocado trade is undermining U.S. growers [1]. In a letter addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the lawmakers warned that these import surges, allegedly driven by Mexican criminal organizations, are collapsing U.S. avocado prices and threatening the future of American avocado production [1].
The letter, signed by Reps. James Gallagher, Jay Obernolte, Ken Calvert, Young Kim, David Valadao, Darrell Issa, and Vince Fong, alleges that Mexican cartels exert 'substantial influence' over the avocado supply chain through extortion of growers, use of illegally obtained land, interference with U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections, and control of transportation routes [1]. The lawmakers referenced Mexico's deployment of its military to avocado-producing regions as evidence of the extent of cartel involvement [1].
According to the letter, import surges during critical periods of California's 2025 and 2026 growing seasons drove down prices for U.S. producers [1]. The U.S. imported approximately 2.87 billion pounds of fresh avocados in 2025, with Mexico accounting for 83% of that volume, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1]. The lawmakers emphasized that American growers cannot compete in a market shaped by criminal organizations that profit regardless of the price paid to legitimate producers [1].
The California Republicans clarified that they are not seeking to block Mexican avocados entirely, but rather to implement protections that would prevent sudden import surges from overwhelming the domestic market, while still preserving substantial access for Mexican avocados [1]. FOX Business reached out to Greer and the Mexican Embassy for comment, but no responses were included in the article [1].
CONCLUSION
California Republican lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to address cartel-linked surges in Mexican avocado imports, which they say are harming U.S. growers and distorting market prices. They seek enforceable limits within the USMCA framework to ensure fair competition during the domestic growing season. The issue has significant implications for U.S. avocado producers and the broader agricultural market.