November 07, 2017 - 4:38 AM
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The first shipment of Colombian Hass avocados into the United States has arrived in Florida.
Monday's shipment marks years of work by Colombia to gain access to the lucrative U.S. market. Port Everglades officials say the inaugural shipment left Cartagena last week with 19 tons (18 metric tons) of avocados just two months after the Department of Agriculture opened access for Colombia as a source of the popular and often pricey fruit.
The port's director says he's been working to expand their perishables market for years.
The shipment will be transported by truck to Mission Produce's distribution centre in Atlanta.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017