The Hass Avocado R&P Program’s purpose is to increase the consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. The program covers fresh domestic and imported Hass avocados. Exports of domestic Hass avocados are exempt from assessments. The assessment rate is 2.5 cents per pound. The rate may be raised to a maximum of 5 cents per pound.
The Hass Avocado Board (Board) must provide 85 percent of domestic assessments to the California Avocado Commission (CAC), and 85 percent of importer assessments to USDA-certified importer associations: the Chilean Avocado Importers Association (CAIA), the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA), the Colombia Avocado Board (CAB), and the Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC). The CAC may use the assessments rebates to conduct State of origin promotions, while the CAIA, MHAIA, CAB, and PAC may use the assessments rebates to conduct country of origin promotions.
The Board’s budget is used to conduct general promotion, provide information and market research in the United States. The Board reimburses the Federal government for the cost of implementing and administering the program.
In September 2002, AMS issued the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Order, which created the program under the authority of the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research and Information Act (pdf). View the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research and Information Order Federal Register History.
Organizational Structure
The Board is composed of seven producer members and five importer members and their alternates. The producer members and alternates are nominated by producers, and the importer members and alternates are nominated by importers. The Board is located in Mission Viejo, California. You can access a listing of current Council members and alternates on the Hass Avocado Board roster.
AMS Policy on Board Diversity: AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of their industries in experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
Visit the Hass Avocado Board’s website >
View the Board Nomination Information >
Organic Assessment Exemption
R&P programs allow persons that produce, handle, market, process, manufacture, feed or import “organic” and “100 percent organic” products to be exempt from paying assessments regardless of whether they are a “split” operation.
Contacts
Director: Michelle Sharrow
Email: Michelle.Sharrow@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 720-8085
Deputy Director: Sue Coleman
Email: Sue.Coleman@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 378-2569
Branch Chief: Alexandra Caryl
Email: Alexandra.Caryl@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 720-8085