As Mexico's avocado industry prepares to prohibit exports from orchards on deforested land by January 2026, growers and packers face rising pressure to prove both sustainability and product quality. Felix Instruments is addressing this challenge with GPS-enabled quality meters and the FruitMaps orchard management platform, creating verifiable, orchard-level data that supports compliance with the industry's "Path to Sustainability" plan.
Beginning in 2026, avocados grown on deforested land will be excluded from U.S. exports, a move announced by the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico (APEAM) and the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA). Together, these groups represent more than 35,000 growers, 90 packers, and 54,000 orchards—and their pledge includes full traceability, ecosystem service compensation, and net-zero deforestation by 2035.
Avocado quality linked to orchard origin
Felix Instruments' technology strengthens this transition by linking each quality measurement to precise geographic coordinates. Every reading taken with Felix's handheld meters can be GPS-tagged, producing a data trail that ties avocado maturity and quality to its exact orchard of origin. Through FruitMaps, this information is seamlessly integrated into orchard management and traceability systems already in place.
"Deforestation-free isn't just a promise, it requires proof," said Galen George, Director of Applied Science at Felix Instruments. "With GPS-tagged measurements and FruitMaps integration, our tools give growers and exporters the ability to demonstrate orchard-level compliance, while also ensuring the fruit meets the highest quality standards."
© Felix Instruments
By combining nondestructive fruit quality analysis with location-based tracking, Felix Instruments provides:
- Verifiable origin data that reinforces compliance with sustainability standards.
- Integration with existing traceability systems for a seamless audit trail.
- Added commercial value for growers and exporters who can demonstrate compliance and quality simultaneously.
- Increased buyer trust in an industry under close consumer and regulatory scrutiny
With orchard-level monitoring, Felix Instruments equips the avocado industry to meet its 2026 sustainability commitments while maintaining the consistent quality that consumers expect.
For more information:
Scott Trimble
Felix Instruments – Applied Food Science
Tel: (+1) 360-833-8835
[email protected]
https://felixinstruments.com/