Sharwil avocados cleared for export to mainland

Hawaii will again be sharing locally grown avocados with mainland consumers, after an overhaul of federal rules that had restricted the fruits from export to other states for more than two decades.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized new rules Wednesday making it viable for Hawaii farmers to export Sharwil avocados to most states.

The move is expected to greatly expand industry production for one of the state's smaller, yet highly regarded, crops.

"It's a great opportunity for us,"?said Tom Benton, president of the Hawaii Avocado Association. "I believe the market is gigantic out there."

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