Morocco's avocado exports quadrupled over six years, reaching 45,000 t, valued $139 M.

Morocco's avocado water use is 70 L per fruit, 1,000 L per kg, lower than sugarcane.

Morocco's avocado production projected to triple by 2027, threatening groundwater reserves.

Morocco's avocado sector contributes 16 % to GDP, profits mainly to investors, local farmers limited returns.

Morocco's water scarcity driven by climate change, not solely avocado farming.

Mexico's Michoacán produces 70 % of national output, 80 % exported to the U.S., $3 billion revenue.

Mexico's Jalisco farmland grew 3×, half of its farmland now avocado, 5.1 k ha forest converted.

Mexico's avocado cultivation creates large water volumes, reservoirs reduce rainwater infiltration, worsening scarcity.

Mexico's avocado industry faces cartel control, illegal forest loss, and 1,500 ha Rainforest Alliance certification.

Mexico's per‑capita avocado consumption is 7 kg, high prices limit consumption growth.

Mexico's 2021‑22 production 2.33 MMT, 8 % decline; exports 1.33 MMT, profit margins >50 % higher.

Mexico's expansion cleared 300 km² forest 2018‑2023, intensifying deforestation and attracting criminal violence.

Kenya's smallholder farmers lack marketing options; traceability essential for high‑value markets.

Kenya's Kakuzi PLC uses 19 dams for sustainable irrigation, preserving catchment fields and soil health.

Kenya banned sea exports temporarily, smuggling incidents, exports to Netherlands, UAE, France, Spain.

U.S. avocado market doubled in decade; economic output >500 % rise, GDP >$6.1 B.

U.S. brand Avocados From Mexico dominates, 50 % consumer preference, 6 million households added.

California avocado price $2.1 in 2019, drought and wildfires reduced yields, high demand drives prices.

New Zealand sold 80 million avocados, record consumption, 1.5 % global supply; Australian oversupply lowered prices.

Australia’s avocado production doubled decade, 90 k t, projected 120 k t, oversupply drives low prices.

Morocco's avocado exports quadrupled over six years, reaching 45,000 t, valued $139 M.

Title:

Content: Global News
The world today - avocados make a fuss in the parliament of Morocco..
What's the reason?
You are now following the news of avocado causing a stir in the Parliament of Morocco.. Why?
From the World News section and now we leave you with the full details
Mohammed, Abu Dhabi, Tuesday, August 29, 2023 06: 26 PM - The cultivation of avocado fruit is causing widespread concern in Morocco, which resonated with the dome of parliament, where MPs from different parties called on the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammed Siddiqi, to take emergency measures to preserve the water wealth that is being depleted by some export-oriented crops.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, MP Fatma Tamni of the Left Federalism Party wrote: "At a time when Morocco is facing what portends a real water crisis, which has prompted a number of citizens to migrate from their villages and the areas where they live, in search of a lifeline, there have been reports of Morocco exporting 45,000 tons of avocado to European countries."
She added, in the same document seen by "Dot Al-Khaleej": "Everyone knows that avocado, one of the most water-depleting fruits and vegetables, so that scientific reports confirm that each kilogram of the fruit mentioned, drains more than a thousand liters of water.
Thus, forty-five thousand tons of avocado, which drained more than forty billion liters of water, would have benefited Moroccans in their subsistence needs. ”
Sufficiency before export
In the same context, Fatima Al-Tamni, in a statement issued by Dot Al-Khaleej, highlighted that “agriculture accounts for more than 80 percent of the groundwater in Morocco, while we are still far from achieving self-sufficiency, which has been evident in recent months, as the prices of a number of basic foodstuffs have risen. ”
“Hence the question of governance in the agricultural sector and the reasons for Morocco ’ s resort to crops known to deplete water, such as avocados, melons and others, although they are not a priority for the Moroccan consumer, ” she said.
She pointed out that "Morocco occupies the ninth rank internationally in the export of this fruit, while environmental movements and civil actors warned against the depletion of water resources, and called for the cultivation of other vegetables and fruits that can be exported internationally to ensure a sound rationalization of water wealth and self-sufficiency."
The need to focus on grain
For his part, the economist Dr. Rashid Sari, surprised the continuation of some characteristics in the cultivation of avocados, whose production is expected to triple by 2027, which is very worrying, and blatantly threatens the groundwater of the country, which has been dwindling due to successive years of drought.
He warned against continuing to ignore these indicators, which threaten the spread of agricultural inflation, and thus the rise in the prices of some food and vegetables, in addition to the depletion of the underground water mattress and the bankruptcy of a number of estates, as well as the shrinking of forest areas.
Sarri, who heads the African Center for Strategic Studies and Digitization, called for the need to accelerate investment in grain cultivation, which is a valve in the face of Morocco ’ s food sovereignty, stressing that the cost of desalination in the country is very expensive, which requires dealing with water more wisely, to avoid exacerbating the thirst crisis in several Moroccan regions and not to undermine the water plan, which cost the state treasury nearly 150 billion dirhams.
Morocco set a record of 35,500 tonnes of avocado exports between June 2022 and January 2023, up 60 percent from the same period last year.
We hope that we have succeeded in conveying the full details of the news of the avocado raises a stir in the Parliament of Morocco.
What's the reason?
In God ’ s care and protection.
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Content: Monday 2 Shaban 1445 AH - 12 February 2024 |
Programs
Watch our latest episodes online
“The Israeli Avocado. ”
Renewed Debate in Morocco
Controversy has resurfaced in Morocco over crops that experts say drain more water than their revenues after years of drought and the effects of climate change.
An Israeli investment project in Morocco to produce avocados has faced criticism, although authorities have denied that fruit farming has any harm to water, and experts have linked the country's water crisis to management problems rather than specific ones.
In 2021, the Israeli company Mahadrin, which is the largest producer and exporter of citrus fruits in Israel, announced an investment in the cultivation of avocados in Morocco of more than 80 million dirhams ($8.9 million), in partnership with a Moroccan company, to produce 10 tons of avocados annually.
At the time, the debate over the feasibility of investing in a water-draining fruit project flared amid the country ’ s scarce resources, and was renewed recently after the drought continued for the sixth year in a row and warnings about reaching the level of thirst increased.
Moroccan avocado exports have broken sales records for several consecutive seasons.
Total exports have quadrupled in the past six years, making Morocco the ninth largest exporter of this fruit in the world.
The site reports that avocado cultivation in Morocco is currently under threat due to the scarcity of water resources.
However, cultivated areas are expanding, and production is expected to increase by 20 percent year-on-year and reach the new maximum.
According to East Frost, Morocco exported 45,000 tons of avocados worth $139 million between July 2022 and May 2023, and Moroccan exporters were able to increase the number of importing countries from 19 to 25.
But the economic success has been met with internal criticism, with some seeing it as a drain on water and a cause of the country ’ s severe drought crisis.
Abdullah al-Yamalhi, president of the Moroccan Avocado Association, denied in statements that agriculture consumes too much water, saying, “We only take the necessary amount of water for the survival of the crop, which contradicts what is claimed to be a water-intensive crop. ”
Citing a paper entitled “Exposing Myths, ” al-Yamalhi said that growing avocados requires a similar amount of water as other crops, such as apples and pears, stressing that their water consumption is much lower compared to coffee and water-intensive crops,“ which no one criticizes. ”
On Saturday, the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mohammed Siddiqui, denied that some water-consuming crops such as avocados and red melons are the reason behind the depletion of the water mattress.
Siddiqui stressed during his stay as a guest on the Grand Format-Le360 program, that “the area of   planting avocado in Morocco does not exceed 10 thousand hectares, has not expanded since the launch of the Green Morocco plan and will not expand, ” in contrast, the cultivation of melons has shrunk and become prohibited in some dry areas such as Zagora.
On the water crisis in the Kingdom, the government official said that the real reason behind the lack of water resources is climate change and irregular rainfall for more than seven years.
Do avocados consume a lot of water?
A report from Fair Observer says production of avocados is water-intensive, about 70 liters per fruit, more than 12 times what it takes to grow tomatoes.
The report refers to what is described as “virtual water. ”
Hypothetical water refers to the amount of water involved in the production of a commodity.
The default water content of avocado is very high.
This means that the source avocado translates into huge amounts of virtual water imported from exporting to importing countries.
According to expert Omaima Khalil al-Fann, avocados are like other water-draining crops, as a kilogram of avocados needs about a thousand liters of water.
The expert pointed out in an interview with Al-Hurra website that the problem lies in the fact that the revenues of such crops are not reflected on the individual because the agricultural sector contributes only 16 percent to the GDP and drains human and water resources because most of it is unstructured and its profit is due to the investor.
Khalil al-Fann believes that the authorities should allow such cultivation in areas that have renewable water, which are coastal areas, where desalination plants can be created, as opposed to allowing such cultivation in dry areas.
As of January, the kingdom has seen a 57 percent drop in rainfall compared to the average year, according to Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka.
This situation has been exacerbated by the evaporation of water stored in dams, with the average temperature rising by 1.8 percent compared to the average period between 1981 and 2010.
As of February 8, only 23 percent of the dams were filled, compared to 32 percent for the same period last year.
At the risk of water shortages, public baths and car wash shops were closed three days a week in several cities, while gardens and golf courses were banned from being watered with drinking water.
Morocco ’ s water needs are estimated at more than 16 billion cubic meters per year, 87 percent of which is for agricultural consumption, but water resources have not exceeded about 5 million cubic meters per year in the past five years.
Source:
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What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Morocco's avocado water use is 70 L per fruit, 1,000 L per kg, lower than sugarcane.

Morocco's avocado production projected to triple by 2027, threatening groundwater reserves.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Morocco's avocado sector contributes 16 % to GDP, profits mainly to investors, local farmers limited returns.

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Morocco's water scarcity driven by climate change, not solely avocado farming.

Mexico's Michoacán produces 70 % of national output, 80 % exported to the U.S., $3 billion revenue.

Title:

Content: Following the imposition of a temporary ban on the importation of avocados from Mexico, the United States has lifted the ban, and importation of the fruit resumes on Monday. The ban was placed on Friday, February 11, after a US fruit inspector working in the fields of Michoacan in Mexico was verbally abused and threatened with death.

The US government said the safety of Americans working in other countries is very paramount and that the Mexican government cooperated fully to resolve the crisis and ensure the safety of service personnel operating in Mexico.

“The safety of USDA employees simply doing their jobs is of paramount importance,” the US Department of Agriculture said. “USDA is appreciative of the positive, collaborative relationship between the United States and Mexico that made resolution of this issue possible in a timely manner.”

Michoacan exports 80% of its avocado production to the United States and is the only region approved by the US to export the fruit to America. Annual exports come close to $3 billion and an avocado exported into the US now costs an average of $1.43, an increase of 11% above its price in 2021.

The Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers said a security department will be set up to facilitate the export of the fruit to the United States. The specifics of the plan were not released by the association representing 29,000 avocado farmers as well as 65 packing centers in Mexico.

“With this decision, we ensure the export of the fruit and give economic certainty to farmers and laborers,” said Michoacan state governor Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla who expressed joy that the ban was lifted.

The lifting of sanctions allays fears that avocados would not be available for the Super Bowl event and the Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States.

Title:

Content: • En
Drug lord avocado rises in Mexico, superfood wreaks ecological havoc
(Photo by Pixabay _ tookapic)
As a superfood, avocado has gained a lot of attention in recent years, and many cafes and restaurants have taken advantage of this trend, launching avocado meals and beverages. However, as the demand for avocado has increased, the cultivation of agricultural land has also expanded, which has caused ecological havoc in Mexico, the country of origin, and the rise of "avocado criminal organizations."
Avocado is native to Central America, Mexico and Peru, with Mexico ’ s largest producing region located in the southern state of Michoacán, producing 70% of the country ’ s avocado, and the neighboring state of Jalisco, producing about 11% of the country ’ s avocado. As demand for avocado grows, the cultivation of avocado spreads to other states, including Colima. and Chiapas.
However, this wave of expansion of the avocado garden has not been carefully evaluated, but under the guidance of local criminal organizations, with almost brutal methods of deforestation, the local preservation of the original forest has been completely destroyed.
According to the conservation news website Mongabay, one tree in Jalisco is illegally cut down every 75 seconds to be converted into a casserole garden, with around 1,100 trees disappearing every day.
The study found that in 2010, Jalisco ’ s avocado garden was about 0.84 million hectares, but by 2021, it has reached 27.8 million hectares, more than tripled, and nearly half of the state ’ s 56,000 hectares of agricultural land has been used to grow avocado; and correspondingly, deforestation has accelerated since 2019, at least 0.51 million hectares of woodland has become avocado, resulting in pristine acorn. A large number of forests and evergreen forests have disappeared.
Under the avocado craze, criminal organizations also sniffed business opportunities, and the notorious Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes extended his reach into the field, and his Jalisco New Generation Cartel acquired the land of local residents and transplanted the avocado to obtain huge amounts. Profit.
Locals point out that not only private land, but also protected woodlands that require official permission to convert to other crops, and that even if people report to the government that these organizations have substantial control over these areas, they end up sinking into the sea, with the result of course more virgin forest areas being destroyed.
In addition, compared to the original forest, planting avocado requires a lot of water, so after the new avocado garden is planted, it is necessary to build a large water storage tank to reserve irrigation water, which reduces the function of rainwater infiltration and local water collection.
Mexico is not a country with abundant water resources. As the number of avocado trees continues to increase, it will undoubtedly worsen the local water shortage and exacerbate political tensions.
On the other hand, there are also locals who try to coexist with the original ecology and introduce more eco-friendly avocados.
Javier Magaña Cárdenas, a avocado farmer who has long maintained the forest and helped restore the trees, said the authorities should establish a system to help identify and verify the provenance of avocados and ensure that illegal avocados are eliminated by consumers.
Already, many smallholder farmers have partnered with the Rainforest Alliance, a non-governmental organization, and around 1,500 hectares of avocado gardens in Jalisco have been certified for sustainable agriculture.
Sergio Graf Montero, head of the Jalisco Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (SEMADET), said that as long as the demand for non-destructive avocados in the market rises, farmers will naturally choose such methods, and it is still consumers who determine the future of the ecology.
Updated: 2023-06-18 19: 38 GMT + 08: 00

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Mexico's Jalisco farmland grew 3×, half of its farmland now avocado, 5.1 k ha forest converted.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Mexico's avocado cultivation creates large water volumes, reservoirs reduce rainwater infiltration, worsening scarcity.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Mexico's avocado industry faces cartel control, illegal forest loss, and 1,500 ha Rainforest Alliance certification.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

Mexico's per‑capita avocado consumption is 7 kg, high prices limit consumption growth.

Title:

Content: Mexican avocado production to fall in 2021-22 - FreshFruitPortal.com

Mexican avocado production to fall in 2021-22

Mexican avocado production is forecast to fall by eight percent year-on-year in the 2021-22 season, according to a USDA GAIN report.

The country is expected to produce 2.33 million metric tons (MMT) between July 2021 and June 2022, following a record volume year in the previous season.

"Growers state that they are expecting needed tree recovery after record productivity and production (especially in Michoacán) in the MY 2020/21 season," the report said.

"Additionally, insufficient rainfall and high temperatures are likely to reduce production and yields in non-Michoacan producing states."

Mexico is forecasted to export 1.33 MMT in 2021-22, eight percent lower than the previous season, on lower production. Exports to the U.S. are forecasted at 1.04 MMT.

Michoacán, the only state with phytosanitary approvals to export to the U.S. typically exports approximately 85 percent of production.

According to the USDA, profit margins for export to the U.S. are typically more than 50 percent higher than supplies sold to the domestic market. Michoacán also exported 22 percent greater volumes in 2020/21 than the previous MY to non-U.S. markets, on increased production. Canada, Japan, and Spain were the main destinations.

International demand for avocados from Mexico continues to increase, and producers without access to the U.S. market continue to seek international markets with higher profitability than the domestic market. Jalisco exported 26 percent more volume than the previous marketing year in 2020/21, mainly to Japan, Canada, France and Spain.

Planted and harvested areas are forecasted at 227,126 hectares (ha) and 225,910 ha respectively, with a national yield of 10.30 metric tons per hectare (MT/ha).

Harvest reaches peak from October to February, with average supply from March to May, and low season from June to September.

Annual per capita consumption is seven kilograms (approximately 15 pounds) per person. While a staple in Mexican cuisine, avocado consumption has not grown in recent years because of high prices driven by increased international demand.

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Mexico's 2021‑22 production 2.33 MMT, 8 % decline; exports 1.33 MMT, profit margins >50 % higher.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

Mexico's expansion cleared 300 km² forest 2018‑2023, intensifying deforestation and attracting criminal violence.

Title:

Content: Go to contents
In one day, two politicians were killed in a Mexican avocado.
In one day, two politicians were killed in a Mexican avocado.
Posted February.
29, 2024 07: 26
Updated February.
29, 2024 07: 26
한국어
On the 26th, in the high-income avocado (Avocado • avocado), the world's largest producer of avocado, in Maravatio, Michoacán state, southeast Mexico, two candidates for mayor were shot dead.
Avocado is a healthy super food, especially in developed countries such as the United States.
However, in the local area of Mexico, various criminal forces around the control of circulation is very fierce, resulting in frequent violence.
According to local media reports such as "El Universal", on the afternoon of the 26th, in the center of Malabatio, Miguel Angel Reyes, the candidate for mayor and current doctor of the ruling party Morena (Morena), was shot dead by unknown persons on the way to the car.
On the same night, Armando Pérez Runa, a candidate for mayor of the opposition National Action Party (PAN), was also shot dead.
Authorities speculate that this is a crime committed by forces trying to influence the elections in the run-up to June 2, when the elections, parliamentary elections and local council elections are held simultaneously.
Michoacán is known as a region where various criminal organizations are active, such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Mexico ’ s most powerful criminal organization.
Conflicts of interest between organizations have been fraught.
Last year, the number of attacks against politicians and government associates (Michoacán) ranked fifth out of all 32 states.
At the same time, in Michoacán, avocados can be harvested four times a year, based on the mild climate, etc.
About 70% of Mexico ’ s avocado production comes from this region.
Most of this is exported to the United States, which accounts for almost half of world demand.
According to statistics from professional statistics website Statista, the per capita avocado consumption in the United States in 2022 is about 4.2 kg, an increase of about four times over 20 years ago.
With the increasing profitability of avocado cultivation, many criminal organizations vie for circulation rights.
Civic Data, a local civic group, fears that attacks by various criminal groups may reach the worst levels in history when local councils are sworn in and elections are held this year.
Illegal cultivation of avocado cultivation is also high. At least 300 square kilometers of forest have been turned into avocado plantations in 2018-2023.
In response, the authorities recently said that they will prevent the export of avocados grown on illegal farmland.
邮箱 ： donga @ donga.com

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Kenya's smallholder farmers lack marketing options; traceability essential for high‑value markets.

Title:

Content: Sustainable farming holds the key to economic prosperity

Agriculture holds the key to economic transformation for Kenya and the East African region. However, the challenge lies in practising sustainable agriculture to unlock its true value from food production to agro-processing.

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) takes place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, as a region and human race, we have many challenges ahead.

Some, are brought on by climate change, population pressure and political or financial instability within our economic and geopolitical space. Still, as a country and region, we have many unique advantages including political goodwill which, if used wisely, will allow us to build a robust agricultural economy.

Let me start by dealing with a favourite topic of mine, irrigation and water security. At Kakuzi, we have 19 dams which collect rainfall - allowing us to use the water for irrigation during dry season.

The critical part of our water security is not just the dam but the catchment itself.

If we don’t preserve the water catchment fields, our dams won’t fill with water, or they could silt up. In short, sustainable and secure irrigation requires that we sacrifice something, in this case, acres and acres of land, which act as water catchment areas.

These fields are preserved with natural habitat and managed to avoid soil erosion, bush clearance or overgrazing. In these fields, we must overcome the temptation to dig up the land and plant crops.

The next key challenge for agriculture after water is energy and not just the cost but also availability. In Kenya, our key export crop of tea requires energy to turn it from lush green leaves to dry tea; bear in mind that 4.5 kilos of green leaf converts to 1 kilo of black tea as the rest is water.  As we encourage farmers to grow more green tea leaves, we must also consider how to dry leaves.

-Chris Flowers is the Kakuzi Managing Director.

In every tea-growing country, the energy for drying tea is a significant issue, whether it’s coal in India, gas in Bangladesh or fuel wood for us in East and Central Africa. Engineers have calculated the energy required, and it’s staggering. We must find sustainable solutions for this, as it’s not an easy or quick fix.

We all know the impact of energy prices on fertiliser, which is just another reason why we need to minimise our use wherever we can. Composting and mulching at Kakuzi to improve soil health and enhance soil fertility is a crucial component of our agricultural practices. Given that only 10 per cent of a macadamia nut is the edible kernel, a lot of biomass is available for conversion to energy or compost.

Teaching farmers sustainable agricultural techniques and when to apply different nutrients and in what quantities is part of what we do. Our online avocado academy ‘Kakuzi Avocademy’ is designed as an e-learning portal for farmers. Through the e-learning platform, we strive to advance shared prosperity values allowing smallholder farmers to learn and make the best crop husbandry decisions.

For many years now, I have been saying that we must explain how farmers can sell their fruit for the best value before we can tell them to plant an avocado tree.

Unfortunately, the fact is that the supply-demand equation for a perishable product such as avocados is a reality. Produce a product with limited marketability in a period of oversupply at your peril. This is precisely what happened in the avocado market earlier this year.

An oversupply of fruit in Europe through large Peruvian shipments and late European and North African production meant minimal marketing options for Kenyan smallholder fruit.

As I mentioned above, discerning customers choosing to eat a superfood such as macadamia or avocado want to know what they are eating and how it was produced. This is not because good Kenyan fruit is of substandard quality but simply because a lot of fruit from the country doesn’t have traceability credentials. If we as producers cannot demonstrate these traceability credentials, then high-value markets are limited and becoming more so.

We should also avoid the trap of thinking that emerging markets in the far east are less stringent than our traditional European markets. Sending substandard fruit to an emerging market can only depress demand, not enhance it.

Further up in the Rift Valley in the tea fields of Nandi and beyond, agricultural interest, mainly crop diversification, is also rising. The number of people seeking advice on avocado and macadamia potential in the region predominantly known for tea is growing.

Undoubtedly, this is the best time to get on the agribusiness side of things. As the name suggests, agribusiness means agricultural production for consumption and sale to raise much-needed financial resources. Like any other business, Agri-preneurs must carefully consider profit and loss fundamentals.

Considering profit and loss means engaging the investing community in the agricultural space to appreciate the role of credit access, mechanisation, technology and human resource management for efficiency.

Having been on the agricultural front my entire life, I can attest to this field-based industry’s value and potential to power rapid economic transformation. Kakuzi is an example of a leading agribusiness firm involved in commercial agricultural endeavours, including livestock rearing and agroforestry beyond our renowned avocado and macadamia production.

In Kenya, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda 2022 - 2027 rightly notes that the agricultural sector has the highest growth multiplier effect on other economic sectors due to strong backward and forward linkages. There can be no denying that agriculture is our most globally competitive sector but getting it right is complex. Patience, long-term thinking and getting the fundamentals of sustainability, quality and traceability correct is the key.

Sometimes numbers tell the value of an agricultural enterprise better. For example, last year, notwithstanding the challenges of an “OFF” year cycle, Kakuzi PLC exported  Sh94 million worth of HASS avocados for our smallholder farmers. The previous ON-year cycle had seen us ship HASS Avocado cartons worth Sh152. 2 million for smallholder farmers.

In this venture geared at supporting smallholder farmers access quality international markets, we made payouts amounting to more than Sh31.4 million for the smallholder farmers from Kakuzi’s local community in Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Meru and Trans-Nzoia counties.

This is but one of the proof points that agribusiness is a viable economic avenue that can empower our farmers if we do it correctly.

However, we must remain alive to the vagaries of climate change as a risk factor to agricultural production and work towards building resilience.

Chris Flowers is the Kakuzi Managing Director.

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Kenya's Kakuzi PLC uses 19 dams for sustainable irrigation, preserving catchment fields and soil health.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Kenya banned sea exports temporarily, smuggling incidents, exports to Netherlands, UAE, France, Spain.

Title:

Content: Commodities

Agency nabs 32 tonnes of smuggled avocados on Tanzania border

Last week, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) seized 32 tonnes of avocados that were being smuggled to Tanzania as traders seek to evade an export ban now in its second month.

AFA’s Horticulture and Crops Directorate (HCD) impounded four lorries at the Namanga border point ferrying the fruits in a crackdown that has shed light on the new methods employed by fresh produce traders to ship the fruit abroad via Tanzania.

HCD acting deputy director in charge of regulation and compliance Collins Otieno said it had emerged that once the consignments are in Tanzania, they are exported to other destinations.

“The vehicles were full of immature avocados packaged in gunnery and polythene bags, contrary to the regulations,” said Mr Otieno.

Read: Molasses prices up 10 times over illegal exports

In November last year, the directorate put a temporary ban on sea exports of avocado to allow the fruits to mature. The ban affects the Hass, Pinkerton, Fuerte, and Jumbo avocado varieties primarily cultivated by Kenyan farmers for export.

Over the last 10 years, the directorate has employed bans to restrict exports to air shipments between November and February due to insufficient volumes to fill sea containers.

Those involved in the export of immature avocados risk various penalties, including cancellation of their licences.

The traders favour exporting through Tanzania because it enjoys tax exemptions due to its categorisation as a least-developed country, unlike Kenya, which faces import duty in some countries.

“AFA will continue to enhance implementation of the Horticultural Crops Regulations 2020 that even stipulates how avocados should be transported. Carrying the fruits in gunny bags and polythene bags enhances contamination. Avocados are supposed to be transported in crates and cartons,” Mr Otieno said.

Industry players warned that the new trend, if not tamed, might hurt Kenyan exports in the international market, where it is reputed for producing quality fruits.

Read: AFA withholds sugar firm licences on breaches

Last week, the directorate deployed officers in all avocado growing areas to undertake a survey to examine the fruit's quantities and maturity levels before lifting the harvesting suspension.

Kenya is a prominent African avocado producer, with key export destinations such as the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, France and Spain. In September 2023, Kenya deepened its presence globally after exporting the inaugural consignment of 400 kilogrammes of avocados to India.

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U.S. avocado market doubled in decade; economic output >500 % rise, GDP >$6.1 B.

Title:

Content: Avocados From Mexico® Celebrates 10 Years of Goodness

Published: Oct. 20, 2023 at 7:30 AM CDT|Updated: 1 hour ago

The leading avocado brand in the U.S. shares its 10 biggest impacts from a decade of innovation in the produce industry

DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From making the U.S. the world's leader in avocado consumption, to creating an avocado brand in a brandless category and debuting the first-ever commercial about a fruit during the Big Game: Avocados From Mexico® has paved a fresh path in the produce marketing industry.

Avocados From Mexico, the #1 selling brand of avocados in the U.S., has spent ten years building a brand that is: always good, always good for you1, fun and delicious. With bold marketing that drives demand, strategic partnerships with CPG brands and a robust seasonal strategy all year, Avocados From Mexico has become known as a disruptive, world-class marketer and innovation powerhouse.

This October marks the 10th anniversary of Avocados From Mexico. While attending the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) trade show this week, Avocados From Mexico is celebrating this milestone, and the strategy that has defined the past decade of growth. The brand released its top 10 impacts since becoming a brand, along with an infographic that shares exactly what the brand has been cooking up for a decade and the results of some truly delicious innovations.

"This anniversary is a major milestone for Avocados From Mexico," said Avocados From Mexico President and CEO, Alvaro Luque. "We are celebrating 10 years of goodness, 10 years of growth, 10 years of driving demand for avocados in the U.S., 10 years of relentless passion for innovation, strong performance and fun. I'm so proud of all we have done, and I truly can't wait to see what we can accomplish next."

The fruits of the brand's decade of labor include:

  • Avocados From Mexico is the preferred brand of avocados in the U.S. The brand nearly tripled brand preference, reaching more than 50%.2
  • In 2015, the brand became the first produce brand to advertise during the Big Game, highlighting the synergy between avocados and football season.
  • In 2020, the brand was named one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators by FastCompany, and in 2021, was #1 in FastCompany's Most Innovative Companies in the world in the branding category.
  • The brand also more than doubled the U.S. avocado market; now eight out of 10 avocados in the U.S. come from Mexico.3
  • The brand created a win-win story between two countries. The U.S. economic output of imported avocados from Mexico has increased more than 500% and its U.S. GDP is up five times to more than $6.1B annually.4
  • Avocados From Mexico reinvented shopper marketing, achieving growth in household penetration by six million new households and 19% growth in purchase frequency.
  • The brand avo-educated U.S. foodservice operators and retailer partners through Avocado University, the 1st and only certified avocado education program.
  • Avocados From Mexico also freshened up menus with avocados, seeing 20% growth in foodservice market share and in menu penetration.5

"In ten years, Avocados From Mexico has become the top-selling, most recognized avocado brand in the U.S. and the most innovative company in produce marketing. I would like to thank our employees, growers, packers, importers and partners, who have laid the groundwork for our success and have built the path for the bright future ahead of us," said Luque.

For 10 years, Avocados From Mexico has built a platform on goodness. Goodness for consumers, by bringing more high-quality, nutritious avocados to their tables at home and in restaurants. Goodness for the retailers, by supporting them with innovative marketing and growing the market. Goodness for the environment by embedding sustainable practices into the avocado industry, and goodness with fun times. The brand is always good, for everyone the brand touches, for the first 10 years, and the next.

To learn more about Avocados From Mexico, visit https://avocadosfrommexico.com, Facebook (facebook.com/avocadosfrommexico), Instagram (@avocadosfrommexico) or Twitter (@AvosFromMexico).

About Avocados From Mexico
Avocados From Mexico is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA), formed for the purpose of advertising, promotion, public relations and research for all stakeholders of Avocados From Mexico. Under agreements, MHAIA and the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers & Packers of Mexico (APEAM) have combined resources to fund and manage Avocados From Mexico, with the intent to provide a focused, highly- effective and efficient marketing program in the United States. Avocados From Mexico is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

Sources

  1. Fresh avocados are a heart-healthy fruit. They provide naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. Source: https://avocadosfrommexico.com/avocado-nutrition/
  2. Hall & Partners Brand Tracking
  3. Hass Avocado Board Volume Data
  4. Texas A&M: The Economic Benefits of U.S. Avocado Imports from Mexico, 2022 Update
  5. Technomic: Volumetric Study, Dec 2022

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SOURCE Avocados From Mexico

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How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

How have avocado prices changed in recent years?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

U.S. brand Avocados From Mexico dominates, 50 % consumer preference, 6 million households added.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

California avocado price $2.1 in 2019, drought and wildfires reduced yields, high demand drives prices.

Title:

Content: "Superfood" avocado has become one of the most popular fruits in the world due to its dense taste and wide use, but environmental awareness has risen in recent years, and due to the need for water and high carbon footprint during cultivation, some restaurants around the world have resisted avocado, replacing the ingredients used in dishes with other fruits and vegetables.
According to the Guardian and The Hill, growing avocados requires a lot of water. According to DanWatch, an independent Danish investigative media, it takes an average of 320 litres of water to grow one avocados.
In addition, thanks to the popularity of avocados around the world, the international transportation of avocados after harvest has further boosted the carbon footprint, which is estimated by Carbon Footprint Ltd to be nearly 850 grams for two avocados commonly found on supermarket shelves.
The main production area of avocado is in Central and South America, but because it is popular with North American and European consumers, the avocado has to be transported across continents when it grows.
Because the journey is too long, farmers often pick the avocado before it is ripe, and it is necessary to use temperature-controlled containers to transport the avocado, all of which push up the avocado ’ s carbon footprint.
In addition, the price of avocado has been soaring in recent years, according to Business Insider, by 2019, the Hass avocado produced in California has risen to $2.1 (about NT $58).
In recent years, the price of avocado has risen, and the cost of its cultivation and transportation has been inextricably linked, and California's casepear production has been severely affected by drought and wildfires in recent years.
Growing and distributing avocados also requires a lot of labor, and the avocados need to be transported to the ripening center first after picking them first, and then to the sales sites after adding ethylene.
Thomasina Miers, founder of the British Mexican restaurant chain, pointed out that today's strong demand for avocado around the world has caused the price of avocado to soar to the point that indigenous people in the region cannot afford it.
Realizing the environmental impact of avocados, restaurants around the world are beginning to resist them. Myers says his restaurant has replaced the cornflake sauce “avocados ” with beans, green peppers, lime, parsley, etc.
Canadian Mexican chef Aldo Camarena also introduced dipping sauces made with pumpkin seeds and tomatoes, while Irish restaurant owner JP McMahon removed the avocado from the menu, calling it “Mexico ’ s blood diamond. ”
Chefs declare war on a trendy fruit because of its enormous carbon footprint
Source: Why avocados are so expensive
End of the avocado: why chefs are ditching the unsustainable fruit
# Avocado # Superfood # Chef # Boycott # Planting

How have avocado prices changed in recent years?

New Zealand sold 80 million avocados, record consumption, 1.5 % global supply; Australian oversupply lowered prices.

Title:

Content: Smashing news: Early season avocados just 80 cents each

Forks at the ready, avo fans – with the harvest just beginning, the fruit is already going cheap.

A scan of supermarket prices on Tuesday revealed avocados, harvested from August to February, were already selling for as little as 80 cents a pop.

A Countdown spokesperson said grower investment over the last couple of years meant it had a good supply of New Zealand-grown fruit.

“Over the last year, avocado sales have increased by more than 25%,” they said.

READ MORE:
* Coronavirus: Kiwis urged to eat more avocado after industry takes Covid-19 hit
* How many others squeezed that avocado you just bought (and squeezed)?
* Stolen avocados likely being sold at roadside stalls

Foodstuffs spokesperson Emma Wooster said more than 31 million avocados were sold in its New World, Pak ‘n Save and Four Square stores last year.

“We expect to see great value and availability on avocados continue as crops grow larger – great news as we know New Zealanders love some avo on their morning toast,” Wooster said.

NZ Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular said New Zealanders bought more than 80 million avocados last season, which was “a record, and a great one.”

“With increased prices for fruit and vegetables, and our new season crop available, it’s a great time for Kiwis to grab an extra couple of avocados in their weekly shopping and try avocados in new ways.”

But the bargain-basement prices come at a cost to avocado growers, who have already had a tough couple of years.

Repeated Covid-19 lockdowns, shipping problems and changing shopping habits had all impacted on growers’ ability to shift their produce.

On top of that, increased production in Australia, usually New Zealand’s biggest export market, resulted in an “avalanche” of avocados there last year.

The oversupply led to prices hitting a 15-year low of $1 each and a 76% slump in New Zealand’s exports across the Tasman.

Scoular said New Zealand produced about 1.5% of global avocado supply, and she believed demand in Asia could be “increased significantly with good investment in that market development.”

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the positive effects of the global demand for avocados on the countries and regions that produce and export them?

What crises have happened on the global avocado market in the recent years?

prices falling sharply
oversupply of avocados in Australia

Australia’s avocado production doubled decade, 90 k t, projected 120 k t, oversupply drives low prices.

Title:

Content: Skip to main content
ABC Rural

Avocado oversupply drives prices through the floor, forces farmers to let fruit rot

By Meg Bolton
Posted , updated
Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article
abc.net.au/news/avocado-oversupply-forces-farmers-to-let-fruit-rot/100529294

A pair of Sunshine Coast farmers say they have no choice but to watch their avocados die on trees as Australian growers battle with a market oversupply.

Production has doubled in the past decade as farmers cash in on the nation's appetite for the fruit, leading to smaller growers being priced out of the market.

Wolvi farmers Julie and Tony Pratt have had to make some difficult decisions after making a profit of just 4 cents per avocado on a recent delivery to a major Queensland market.

They say letting their produce rot is now the most economical decision.

"We know you shouldn't do it, [but] we don't have a choice," Mr Pratt said.

The couple bought their 1,000-tree property four years ago and were anticipating 2021 to be their strongest season.

It has been their worst.

"One dollar an avocado [in the supermarket means] all farms are losing money -- doesn't matter whether you're a small family farm or a corporate farm," Mr Pratt said.

"What really hurts is when you see that fruit not coming from Australia.

"It makes it pretty hard to get up the next morning and start up irrigation pumps to prepare for the next crop."

The season would usually end in September in the Gympie region, but the Pratts still have fruit on trees after taking a risk and waiting to see whether supermarket prices would rise.

The gamble did not pay off.

"Because of the sheer volume on the market, there's close to half a million trays a week coming onto the market from various parts of Australia," Mr Pratt said.

Money not growing on trees

Avocados Australia chief executive John Tyas said more trees coupled with a good growing conditions had significantly increased market supply.

"This year we're seeing a massive increase in production with a lot of young plantings coming online," he said.

Last year the nation's growers produced almost 90,000 tonnes, but Mr Tyas said 120,000 tonnes would be produced in the next year.

Industry representative Hort Innovation launched an advertising campaign in June to increase demand for the rapidly growing supply.

Marketing manager Matthew Dwyer said oversupply was the industry's biggest challenge.

"What we want to do is ensure that consumers know the value of the product," he said.

He said the advertisement was a success -- after four months, research showed two out of three consumers were more likely to buy avocados.

Call for locals to support their own

The Pratts turned to selling their crop on social media for the first time to survive the season.

They also had family members manning roadside stalls, which Mr Pratt never imagined they would have to do.

"We just need to shift more volume and it's a lot more work," he said.

But with production increasing at a rapid rate, Mr Pratt said there was no light at the end of the tunnel.

"If you look at a lot of these big farms, whether that's in North Queensland, Central Queensland -- these are guys that have planted thousands of trees," he said.

"It's the first year that those farms are getting any yield from those first few plantings.

Mrs Pratt urged consumers to buy locally grown fruit.

"We have to share our stories for them to understand that they need to put their money where their mouth is and go, 'Right I'm spending, I'm making the choice to spend at my local fruit and veggie shop','" she said.

Posted , updated

What crises have happened on the global avocado market in the recent years?

prices falling sharply
oversupply of avocados in Australia