In July, two large bulldozers were observed digging into the soil of an avocado orchard in Madero, Michoacan, Mexico, as part of efforts to construct a water reservoir. This activity, captured by drone footage and reviewed by environmental activists, raises concerns about illegal practices in the avocado industry, which is rapidly expanding to meet U.S. demand.
Mexican law mandates an environmental impact study and permits for water storage used in avocado farming. However, only 42 reservoirs and wells in Madero have registered permits, while activists claim there are hundreds of unregulated water pools in the area. As Michoacan faces drought, avocado producers often extract water from lakes and communal basins, leading to significant environmental damage.
The Organic Consumers Association, a U.S. nonprofit, has filed lawsuits against West Pak Avocado Inc. and Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., alleging that their marketing claims of “sustainable” sourcing for Mexican avocados are misleading. The lawsuits argue that these companies are contributing to environmental degradation and violating consumer protection laws.
Satellite imagery analysis by Climate Rights International has identified orchards in Madero that were illegally deforested after 2015, which reportedly sold avocados to West Pak. The lawsuits seek to prevent these companies from using sustainability claims in their marketing, citing issues such as water scarcity, climate change, and the decline of Monarch butterfly populations in Michoacan.