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For the first time in 27 years, Georgia grown peaches have been exported to Mexico, marking an important step forward towards “opening more markets for Georgia producers and reducing barriers to international trade,” according to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.

This is the result of a coordinated effort between Genuine Georgia (a group of four commercial peach growers in middle Georgia) Atlanta-based Reveam – technology that extends the shelf life of fresh produce.

According to Harper, 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.

“Expanding access to reliable markets for Georgia producers is absolutely critical to ensure the continued success of our state’s No. 1 industry and our farm families,” said 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 to break down barriers to international trade, exceed international food safety standards, and reduce food waste.”

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, Harper explained.

“There are a lot of peach eaters in Mexico, and a lot of them would love to have those Georgia peaches,” said Duke Lane, president of the Georgia Peach Council. “To give you a perspective of how many potential peach eaters are down there, you’ve got 22 million people in Mexico City and the surrounding areas. All of a sudden, we’re now bringing on another 20-plus million customers.”

Harper said the 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.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Georgia peaches and Georgia farmers, and I appreciate Commissioner Harper’s efforts to make this a reality,” said Chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and owner of Dickey Farms, state Rep. Robert Dickey.

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.