The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has amended import regulations for Mexican avocados to allow the shipment of bulk packages of the product, according to a USDA statement.

The change will go into effect on Nov. 29, 2010, and opens the door to certified avocado packing facilities in Michoacán –the primary avocado growing region-  to ship in bulk containers in refer containers or trucks. The size of the cartons or packages has been left to the market.

“We are taking these actions in response to requests from the government of Mexico and inquiries from a U.S. maritime port,” the statement said.

Furthermore, the USDA changed regulations to allow one truck or container to consolidate cartons from different packinghouses, as long as the packing house responsible for processing each box was clearly marked.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com