Avocado Imports Poured $641.5M Into US Trucking and Warehousing

Mexican Hass avocado imports generated an estimated $641.5 million in U.S. transportation and warehousing activity and supported more than 4,150 logistics jobs in fiscal year 2025-26, according to a Texas A&M University analysis released Wednesday by the Avocado Institute of Mexico.

The study, titled "The U.S. Economic Contributions of Hass Avocado Imports from Mexico," was prepared by Gary W. Williams, an emeritus professor in Texas A&M's Department of Agricultural Economics, and extension program specialist Dan Hanselka. It puts hard numbers on a reefer supply chain that runs almost entirely through two Texas border crossings.

Nearly 98% of Mexican avocados entering the U.S. in 2024 moved by truck through Texas land ports, primarily Pharr and Laredo. USDA data cited in the report shows the Pharr crossing handled approximately 58.2% of those imports, while Laredo accounted for another 39.4%.

How far does the money travel?

Beyond the border, shipments pass through trucking companies, refrigerated warehouses, wholesalers, distribution centers and food processors before reaching grocery stores and restaurants. The report found avocado freight generates additional activity through purchases of fuel, equipment, transportation services, repairs and other logistics inputs.

The total footprint is large. The analysis estimated that Mexican Hass avocado imports generated $7.1 billion in total U.S. economic output and supported 37,163 jobs across multiple industries during the fiscal year ending June 2026.

Texas captures a big share of the haul. An estimated $245.1 million in Mexican Hass avocado imports moving through the state generated $428.9 million in economic output, contributed $265.5 million to Texas GDP and supported 2,402 jobs, the study found.

California, the nation's largest avocado-consuming state, generated $968.2 million in economic output and 5,325 associated jobs. Together, Texas and California accounted for only 19% to 22% of the national contributions measured, showing how the supply chain spreads across the country.

At the macro level, $3.2 billion in Mexican Hass avocado imports during fiscal 2025-26 contributed an estimated $4.4 billion to U.S. GDP, supported $2.4 billion in labor income and generated roughly $1 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

"This report demonstrates the value of a deeply integrated North American supply chain built over decades between Mexico and the U.S.," said Ron Campbell, executive director of the Mexican Hass Avocado Import Association, in a statement. "Mexican avocados don't simply cross the border, they generate economic activity throughout the U.S. economy, supporting transportation and distribution networks, retailers, restaurants and communities across the country."

GLS US pushes parcel network into El Paso

Regional parcel carrier GLS US expanded into El Paso, Texas, on Oct. 20, adding another market along the U.S.-Mexico border and strengthening its coverage across the Western U.S.

The new location offers first-, middle- and final-mile delivery to West Texas businesses. It can also determine international shipping capabilities and handle parcels weighing up to 150 pounds.

El Paso is a major U.S.-Mexico trade gateway, anchored by manufacturing, distribution and cross-border commerce with neighboring Ciudad Juárez. GLS said the expanded network will serve manufacturers, distributors, retailers and e-commerce shippers seeking better connectivity across Texas and the Western U.S.

The El Paso launch follows GLS US expansions into Houston, Austin and San Antonio earlier this year, after the carrier entered Dallas-Fort Worth in 2025. GLS US is part of GLS Group, a European parcel operator active in more than 50 countries and handling more than 900 million parcels annually.

Jetco builds heavy-haul division for Gulf Coast projects

Houston-based trucking and logistics provider Jetco launched a specialized cargo division aimed at heavy-haul demand tied to data centers, power generation, manufacturing and infrastructure projects along the Gulf Coast.

The division merges Jetco's heavy-haul operations, established in 2008, with its growing freight brokerage to handle oversized, overweight and over-dimensional cargo.

"Three years ago, we started positioning ourselves to capitalize on the accelerated growth of domestic power, manufacturing, and infrastructure, specifically data centers," Jetco President Kyle Kristynik said in a statement.

Jetco has added four specialized trailers this year, including two Faymonville multimax trailers rated at 125,000 pounds each, a Goldhofer trailer rated for 180,000 pounds and a Fontaine hydraulic removable gooseneck trailer with a 55-ton capacity in a 16-foot footprint.

The company will pair its own equipment with prequalified third-party carriers for complex industrial shipments, and plans to work with Canadian sister companies Precision Specialized and Scott Woods Transport on heavy-haul and out-of-gauge freight. Jetco, part of Canada's The GTI Group, operates from Houston with facilities in Pasadena, Freeport and Dallas.

With border produce volumes, e-commerce parcel demand and Gulf Coast industrial construction all trending upward, carriers and forwarders on these lanes are positioning capacity ahead of the growth rather than behind it.