#Sustainability #Mexico #Mexican Avocados #Environmental Protection #Michoacán

A Breakthrough in Sustainable Avocado Sourcing

On July 30, 2026, the world celebrated International Avocado Day, a perfect occasion to reflect on the transformative changes happening in the avocado supply chain, particularly from Mexico. In just two years, a groundbreaking avocado certification program has emerged, heralding a new era of accountability and sustainability within the industry. Developed by the Mexican environmental organization Guardián Forestal, this initiative is seen as a pivotal step toward forest conservation in Mexico while ensuring that avocados imported to the United States do not contribute to deforestation.

The Certification Program: Pro-Forest Agriculture (PFA)

Initiated in 2024 in collaboration with the Michoacán state government, the Pro-Forest Agriculture (PFA) program has quickly garnered attention due to its innovative use of technology, including satellite imagery and artificial intelligence. This monitoring system is designed to verify that the avocados sourced from Mexican orchards have not been tainted by recent deforestation activities. At present, about 80 packinghouses, guacamole processors, and avocado oil producers have adopted this voluntary certification, collectively representing over 90% of the avocado exports from Mexico to the U.S.

A staggering statistic reveals the impact of this initiative: previously, the Mexican avocado industry was often linked to extensive deforestation and environmental degradation. However, Daniel Wilkinson, a senior policy advisor at Climate Rights International, emphasizes the shift: "Now, avocado buyers have a practical tool to screen orchards and make sourcing decisions based on rigorous, science-based monitoring — and they’re using it."

Addressing Past Environmental Concerns

In December 2023, Climate Rights International published a significant report titled "Unholy Guacamole," which examined the ecological consequences of avocado production for U.S. export. The report highlighted alarming links to deforestation, water scarcity, and rising violence in related communities, primarily focused in Michoacán, where over 80% of U.S. avocado consumption is sourced. This production area is pivotal, as it supplies nearly three billion tons of avocados to American consumers every year.

Prominent companies such as Calavo Growers, Fresh Del Monte Produce, Mission Produce, and West Pak Avocado were scrutinized in the aforementioned report, with findings indicating that these leading exporters sourced from orchards on recently deforested land despite their declared sustainability commitments. Thankfully, most of these companies have since opted to participate in the PFA program, reinforcing their commitment to responsible sourcing.

The Crucial Role of Retailers

The enthusiastic adoption of the PFA program is significantly driven by changes in retail practices. In a stark example of industry leadership, Costco Wholesale Corporation pledged in 2025 to streamline their avocado sourcing in a manner conducive to reducing deforestation. Similarly, Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. announced that all avocados sourced from Mexico must come exclusively from PFA-certified suppliers. Although not all retailers have publicized their sourcing policies, a swift demand for PFA certification has become evident within the sector.

As explained by Heriberto Padilla, director of Guardián Forestal, "Retailers have shown they can play a powerful role in protecting forests simply by changing how they buy avocados." This change has resulted in a diminishing market for avocados originating from recently deforested areas.

A Broader Impact

Originally created in Michoacán, the PFA program has expanded to encompass all six Mexican states prominent in avocado production. Today, the Guardián Forestal monitoring system oversees over 53,000 orchards, stretching across more than 200,000 hectares. However, the journey of securing environmentally friendly sourcing practices is not yet complete. Producers associated with recent deforestation can still reach the U.S. market via entities that have not embraced PFA-certified sourcing.

In June, over 50 environmental and food advocacy organizations rallied to urge additional U.S. supermarkets to make sourcing exclusively from PFA-certified packinghouses a requirement. This collective action reflects an increasing recognition of the need for sustainable practices in food sourcing.

In conclusion, while the achievements of Guardián Forestal and its participating partners in under two years are commendable, urgent work remains to ensure that all significant retailers embrace PFA-certified sourcing. This movement is essential to shutting the door on suppliers linked to recent deforestation and enabling a future where avocado consumption does not compromise forest health or community welfare.