Starting January 2026, avocados from Mexico grown on illegally deforested land will be barred from export, as part of an initiative by the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico (APEAM) and the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) to achieve deforestation-free exports by 2030. This decision follows scrutiny over illegal practices in avocado farming, including deforestation and water mismanagement. The industry supports significant economic contributions in both the U.S. and Mexico, while a certification program aims to ensure compliance with sustainable practices.