California Avocado Growers Seek Tariff-Rate Quota to Counter Mexican Imports Amid USMCA Review

California avocado growers have formally asked the federal government to adopt a tariff‑rate quota on Mexican avocado imports during the state’s peak harvest season. The California Avocado Commission released an advocacy video on Thursday that proposes allowing a set volume of Mexican avocados to enter the United States tariff‑free from March through September, while imports that exceed that threshold would face higher tariffs.

The proposal is framed as a measure to help California growers compete during the months when their fruit is harvested, not as a move to halt trade with Mexico. According to Commission President Ken Melban, growers are dealing with rising production costs and are receiving significantly less for their crop than they did a year ago. “This year we’re seeing 50 cents on the dollar compared to last year,” Melban told FOX26.

California’s avocado industry is a sizable part of the state’s economy. The commission reports that roughly 3,000 growers produce more than $1.5 billion in annual revenue. The industry faces a range of challenges, including high labor costs, water restrictions, and competition from overseas producers. Mexico currently supplies about 85 percent of the avocados consumed in the United States, and the lower labor and production costs in Mexico have made it increasingly difficult for California growers to remain profitable.

The commission’s video also highlights additional concerns that could affect the industry. These include cartel violence in parts of Mexico’s avocado sector, the risk of invasive pests entering the United States through imported fruit, and differences in labor and environmental standards between the two countries.

The call for a tariff‑rate quota comes as the United States is reviewing the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA) and preparing for another round of trade talks with Mexico later this month. The commission’s campaign features California farmer Doug O’Hara, celebrity chef Andrew Gruel, and Republican Representative Vince Fong, who has publicly urged the federal government to adopt trade policies that give domestic growers a better opportunity to compete.

The commission reached out to Avocados From Mexico for comment on the proposal but has not yet received a response. No official government statement has been issued regarding the commission’s request.

At this time, the California Avocado Commission’s proposal remains a private advocacy effort. The federal government has not announced any plans to adopt a tariff‑rate quota on Mexican avocado imports, and the outcome of the upcoming USMCA review and trade negotiations with Mexico will likely influence any future policy decisions.

The industry’s next steps will depend on the federal government’s response to the commission’s request and the broader outcomes of the USMCA review. Until then, California growers continue to lobby for measures that would level the playing field during the state’s critical harvest months.