After a 27-year hiatus, Georgia peaches have officially reentered the Mexican market, thanks to a collaboration between the Georgia Department of Agriculture, fruit marketing group Genuine Georgia, and Atlanta-based technology company Reveam. The breakthrough shipment of 42,000 pounds of Georgia Grown peaches marks the first export to Mexico since 1994, when the country imposed a ban on southeastern U.S. peaches due to pest concerns.

This milestone was made possible through Reveam’s USDA-approved Electronic Cold-Pasteurization (ECP) technology, which uses electron beam processing to eliminate pests and pathogens without the use of chemicals or heat. The process ensures peaches meet Mexico’s stringent phytosanitary requirements while preserving freshness and flavor.

“Expanding access to reliable markets for Georgia producers is critical for the continued success of our state’s number one industry,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “This partnership is a blueprint for how innovative technologies like Reveam’s ECP can help us break down trade barriers and reduce food waste.”

Reveam’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Chip Starns, emphasized that the move is more than just a market access story—it signals a transformation for Southeastern agriculture. “Our technology enables growers to meet the toughest international standards and access new consumers without compromising product quality,” he said.

The reopening of the Mexican market is particularly significant due to its scale. “There are a lot of peach eaters in Mexico, especially in Mexico City and surrounding areas, which alone represents more than 22 million potential customers,” said Georgia Peach Council President Duke Lane.

Georgia lawmakers also voiced support. Representative Robert Dickey, Chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and a peach grower himself, called it “an excellent opportunity for Georgia farmers,” and praised Commissioner Harper for advancing the effort.

The groundwork for this achievement was laid through years of cooperation among Georgia peach growers, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Mexican agricultural officials. USDA and GDA inspectors now review and certify each shipment to ensure compliance with international standards.

A long-term goal includes establishing a Reveam ECP facility in Georgia, near the Port of Savannah, which would further streamline export logistics and boost competitiveness for Georgia growers in global markets.

This renewed access to Mexico positions Georgia growers to expand exports and reinforces the state’s reputation as a leader in specialty crop production. It also offers a model for how science, technology, and government collaboration can open new doors for American agriculture.

For more information:
Matthew Agvent
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tel: +1 855 424 5423
Email: [email protected]
www.agr.georgia.gov