Hass Avocado Producers and Importers Approve National Promotion Program

July 30, 2002

Producers and importers of Hass avocados have voted to approve a national promotion program. The vote was taken in a referendum conducted by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service form June 24 through July 12.

In the referendum, 86.6 percent of those who voted favored implementation of the order. Any current producer or importer of Hass avocados who produced or imported during 2000 and 2001 and registered with AMS was eligible to vote.

The promotion program will be administered by a board of 12 members under USDA supervision. Board members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture from nominees submitted by the industry. USDA will begin the nomination process soon after the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research and Information Order becomes effective.

Producers and importers of Hass avocados will pay an initial assessment of 2.5 cents per pound on domestically produced and importer Hass avocados. This will finance a coordinated program to develop, maintain and expand markets for Hass avocados in the United States.