Jalisco, Mexico - The Association of Producers and Exporters of Avocado from Jalisco (APEAJAL) continues to work towards getting their product into the United States, after 120 tons of the fruit was denied entry days before Donald Trump assumed the presidency, stated Apeajal Commercial Promotion Director Miguel Luis Juan during the VIII Avocado Nutrition Course held June 8-10 in Michoacán.

Miguel Luis said that this is one of the main issues to be addressed at the V Latin American Avocado Congress 2017 (VCLA2017), to be held from September 4 to 7 in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, which is APEAJAL's biggest producer of avocados, as it produces between 15 to 23 tons per hectare and officially has 17 thousand hectares planted.

He said that the Organizing Committee was working hard to prepare "a quality academic program that addresses the needs of the avocado industry and takes into account some of the most important aspects of this noble product."

The academic program includes plenary lectures, oral presentations, and poster presentations, under 5 main themes. "Each theme will be developed by an experts with an outstanding track record, all of whom have committed to attending the event and sharing their knowledge."

He went on to say that the Congress represents "an opportunity to strengthen ties of friendship and strengthen the region of Latin America by providing new knowledge and relationships that bring quality fruits to consumers around the world."

He added that Jalisco, the second biggest producer of avocado after Michoacan, officially recognized 17,000 hectares; but APEAJAL estimated there were more than 22,000 hectares devoted to this crop. However, the presidents of local plant health boards, technicians and engineers estimate that there are now more than 25,000 hectares devoted to this crop, as there are many new plantations that have not been registered, which is necessitating a reorganization of the industry."

About 1,000 participants from the productive, academic, industrial and business sectors will attend this meeting in Ciudad Guzmán, which is also known as Zapotlan and, according to Miguel Luis, "one of the most important cities in the state of Jalisco because of its industrial, agricultural, commercial, cultural, and tourist development."