Ag News

Georgia grown peaches exported to Mexico for first time in 31 years

On June 20, the Georgia Department of Agriculture announced, in coordination with Genuine Georgia and Atlanta-based Reveam, that Georgia-grown peaches have been exported to Mexico for the first time in 31 years. Mexico has had strict import restrictions on peaches produced in the southeastern United States due to pest concerns since 1994. Reveam’s proprietary, USDA-approved Electronic Cold-Pasteurization (ECP) technology enabled Genuine Georgia to meet Mexico’s strict import requirements and ship 42,000 pounds of Georgia Grown peaches south to Mexico. This achievement represents an important step toward opening more markets for Georgia producers and reducing barriers to international trade.

“Expanding access to reliable markets for Georgia producers is absolutely critical to ensure the continued success of our state’s #1 industry and our farm families,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The partnership between Genuine Georgia and Reveam is a win for Georgia farmers and a blueprint for how our industry can use cutting-edge technology, like Reveam’s Electronic Cold-Pasteurization process, to break down barriers to international trade, exceed international food safety standards, and reduce food waste.”

Georgia Peach Council President Duke Lane pointed out that Mexico City and its surrounding area present a potential of more than 20 million customers.

“There are a lot of peach eaters in Mexico, and a lot of them would love to have those Georgia peaches,” Lane said.

Georgia last exported peaches to Mexico in 1994, when Mexican officials imposed a ban due to concerns about the potential spread of invasive pests. Since then, Georgia peach growers have been working in close coordination with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Mexican agricultural authorities to develop and implement rigorous new protocols to meet Mexico’s phytosanitary standards.
“This is an excellent opportunity for Georgia peaches and Georgia farmers, and I appreciate Commissioner Harper’s efforts to make this a reality,” said House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Robert Dickey.

A breakthrough in reopening the market came with the implementation of Electronic Cold-Pasteurization (ECP), an advanced treatment technology developed by Atlanta-based company Reveam. The USDA-approved process uses electron beam technology to eliminate pests and pathogens without chemicals or heat, helping maintain the quality and shelf life of fresh peaches while meeting Mexico’s strict import requirements.

In 2023, Harper encouraged then-U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to fast-track USDA approval of a Reveam ECP facility in Georgia near the port of Savannah. A Georgia facility remains an integral part of Reveam’s long-term growth plans and will be a great asset for Georgia farmers looking to compete in new markets.

USDA and GDA officials now inspect each shipment and issue a phytosanitary certificate verifying its compliance with international standards. With support from Reveam’s treatment facility in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Georgia growers can now meet Mexico’s safety and quality protocols, unlocking new potential for export growth. Mexico’s access to Georgia peaches opens up a new era of opportunity for the state’s fruit growers, helping expand their market and reinforcing the State’s global reputation as a leader in specialty crop production.

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