Avocado farmers in Mexico have thrown away up to 52 tons of avocados after authorities discovered an insect pest that can damage the fruit and avocado trees.
The pest, known as the avocado seed weevil, was found in Michoacan, one of Mexico’s biggest avocado-producing areas. Authorities stopped shipments meant for export, while farmers in four states — Michoacan, Jalisco, Colima and Nayarit — were ordered to dispose of affected avocados.
In one town, workers dumped truckloads of avocados into pits to be burned and buried to prevent the pest from spreading. The insect can damage avocado trees by boring into their trunks and branches, as well as into the fruit's seed.
Photo: Reuters
