The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a Draft Pest Risk Assessment for South African avocados Friday.

The announcement comes under the request of the South African government that its fresh avocados be permitted for import into the entire United States.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported it had identified seven quarantine pests that could occur through import.

The following species were identified as having high pest risk potential: Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly), Ceratitis cosyra, Ceratitis rosa (natal fruit fly) and Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth). The following posed a medium risk: Ceroplastes rubens, Phytophthora boehmeriae and Retithrips syriacus. APHIS ranked six out of the seven pests as posing a high level of consequence if introduced to the United States.

The comment period for the assessment will close May 19. Comments should be directed to PPQPRAcomments@aphis.usda.gov.

South Africa produced 119,411 metric tons (MT) of avocado in 2015, down 11.9% from 2014, according to data from the South African Avocado Growers' Association.

Countries already permitted to export avocados to any U.S. port are listed as Bermuda, Chile, Dominican Republic, Grenada, New Zealand, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Spain is permitted entry to the continental U.S. From Mexico, only fruit from the state of Michoacán is permitted.

APHIS currently permits imports of South African apples, blueberries, grapes, nectarines, pears and plums, among many other fresh fruits and fruit products.

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