Experts suspect the issues may involve drug cartels, according to The New York Times, as the imported Mexican avocado crop comes from Michoacán, a state where drug cartels operate widely—and the only state licensed to import the fruit to the U.S.
Why is there an avocado shortage right now?
Mexico is facing an avocado shortage due to war, the pandemic, inflation, and the climate crisis. Avocados are a $3 billion industry in Mexico, the top avocado producer in the world. This year, several challenges have led to high inflation and rising avocado prices.
Why is there a shortage of avocado in 2022?
Those avocados you planned on buying to make fresh guacamole could be the next great shortage of 2022. Avocado imports from Mexico to the U.S. were suspended indefinitely Feb. 12, after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threat.
Is there really an avocado shortage?
Editor’s Note: On Friday, February 18, 2022, a week after a temporary ban was imposed on avocados, the U.S. resumed its import of avocados from the Mexican state of Michoacan. There is an avocado shortage on the horizon.
Is there a shortage of avocados from Mexico?
Still, the avocado industry is still recovering from the shutdown. Avocado shipments from Mexico are expected to decline by 8% for the 2021-22 crop year, Bloomberg reported, citing federal data. Output had reached a record high the previous year.
Why is it hard to get avocados from Mexico?
The pause in imports from Mexico comes on the heels of an already caustic season for the green fruit. California-grown avocados have been hit hard by low rainfall, shrinking crop sizes. Even before the suspension, avocado prices were 100% more expensive than a year ago, according to RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness.
Are avocados going to be hard to get?
While other recent food shortages have been related to things like supply chain issues, severe weather, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the looming avocado crisis has to do with tensions between the United States and Mexico, which exports more than 100,000 tons of avocados to America per month.
What happened with avocados?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture banned imports of the fleshy fruit from Mexico on Feb. 11, 2022, after an employee of its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, who was working in Mexico, received threats after refusing to certify a mislabeled shipment of avocados.
Why is America banning Mexican avocados?
Mexico’s avocados had been banned in the decades before the North American Free Trade Agreement from 1994, Orden said — mostly out of a concern that weevils, scabs and other pests could enter U.S. orchards from imported products.
Is there an avocado shortage June 2022?
U.S. avocado grower-marketer Mission Produce used Chile and Colombia, as well as larger than forecast California volumes, to plug a Mexican fruit shortfall during the second quarter of 2022 as the inconsistency of supply continues.
Where does the US get its avocados?
Avocado trees are native to the humid, sub-tropical and tropical regions of central and northern South America. They never go dormant. Nearly 90% of avocado production in the United States takes place in California. Avocados are harvested by hand and start to ripen once they are picked from the tree.
Why did Biden stop avocados?
The Biden administration announced a ban last week after a US inspector was verbally threatened. The ban sparked fears of an avocado shortage and a potential increase in prices.
Can you freeze avocado?
Ripe avocado can be frozen mashed or puréed, as well as in halves or chunks, and kept for 4–6 months. Add lemon juice and seal the avocado tightly in plastic or with a vacuum sealer to minimize browning.
Which country exports the most avocado?
Mexico still stands as the world leader in regards to export tonnes. The 2018-19 season saw approximately 1,900,000 tonnes of avocados grown domestically with 1,198,000 tonnes of these avocados exported out of Mexico.
Why is there a food shortage 2022?
2022 saw a rapid increase in food prices and shortages of food supplies around the world. The compounding crises in distinct parts of the world were caused by compounding geopolitical and economic crisis. The crises follow food security and economic crises during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What state eats the most avocados?
Los Angeles still consumes the most avocados—some 300 million annually—but other cities, like New York, Dallas, Phoenix, and Houston are catching up.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.