The United States opens its doors to the Mexican soursop

The soursop, scientifically known as Annona muricata L. and nicknamed the "tropical miracle" for its characteristic flavor and healthy properties, may finally be exported to the United States. This is because the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has defined the necessary phytosanitary requirements for its importation.

In Mexico, soursop production has grown significantly. During 2023, more than 30 thousand tons were produced in an area of more than three thousand hectares, with an estimated value of 303 million pesos, according to data from the Agrifood and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP). States such as Colima, Veracruz, Michoacán and Guerrero are among the largest producers.

Access to the U.S. market is the result of an eight-year negotiation process between Mexican and U.S. health authorities. During this period, an exhaustive Pest Risk Analysis was carried out, which culminated in the implementation of an irradiation treatment to guarantee the health of the product.

With this achievement, soursop joins other Mexican fruits such as mango, guava, carambola, pitaya and citrus, which are already exported under similar conditions.

Requirements for exporting

Interested producers will have to register with Senasica and participate in the campaign against fruit flies. They will also have to apply the phytosanitary treatment of irradiation, which prevents the presence of pests in shipments.

source: agronoticias.com.mx, gob.mx

photo: blogagricultura.com