The U.S. government announced on Thursday that full operations will resume across the western Mexican state of Michoacan, following security concerns that had halted inspections necessary for exporting the area's prized avocados.

As Mexico's top avocado-producing state, Michoacan remains an essential supplier to the American market. The U.S. suspended operations there earlier this month due to security threats, raising concerns that supply to U.S. grocery shelves could be disrupted.

U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson expressed gratitude to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for her efforts to strengthen local security measures.

"I recognize the Government of Mexico, particularly its Security Cabinet, for the actions and close coordination that made this full resumption possible efficiently," he said in a statement on Thursday.

"We will continue to monitor security conditions and adjust our operations as appropriate."

A Michoacan government official previously informed Reuters that authorities believed the initial alert was prompted by violence following the detention of alleged cartel leader Alfonso Fernandez Magallon.

The official noted that authorities also received unconfirmed reports suggesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector may have been threatened, pointing to the ongoing security challenges in a region long impacted by violence.

This full resumption follows the U.S. embassy's declaration last week of a partial restart across sections of Michoacan's "avocado belt."

Sheinbaum stated that Mexico was collaborating with the U.S. Embassy to guarantee the safety of inspectors, deploying more than 1,500 soldiers and National Guard troops to Michoacan.

Inspection activities for avocados in the state were also temporarily halted in 2022 and 2024 after inspector-related security incidents.