The US has become the world's leader in avocado consumption between 2015 and 2024, driving significant global market growth.

US avocado consumption rose from 3.2 pounds per capita in 2015 to 8.5 pounds in 2019, before declining in 2020 due to the coronavirus epidemic.

The US avocado market more than doubled between 2015 and 2024, with most coming from Mexico.

Mexico, the world's largest avocado producer, supplies 80% of US avocados, with $2.8 billion in exports in 2020.

The avocado industry faces environmental concerns including deforestation, water depletion, and climate change.

Avocado farming consumes around 1,000 liters of water per kilogram, causing water scarcity in countries like Mexico and Peru.

Avocado farming has a substantial environmental impact, consuming around 1,000 liters of water per kilogram and generating 5.4 kg of carbon dioxide emissions through transportation.

Sustainable avocado farming practices and government incentives can reduce water and chemical use.

Certifications like Fairtrade and Organic promote sustainable farming, improve farmers' lives, and provide better prices.

Regenerative Organic Certification promotes environmental protection, animal welfare, and fair trade, and can improve the sustainability of avocado farming.

Supporting small-scale farmers promotes environmental sustainability and self-sufficient communities.

Sustainable practices like drip irrigation and agroforestry can reduce environmental impact while improving crop yields and farmer incomes.

Digital tools can empower smallholder farmers to adopt sustainable practices, which is crucial for water-intensive crops like avocados.

Avocado farming can negatively impact local communities by exploiting workers and limiting access to healthy food, making responsible supply chains essential.

Partnerships like Al Dahra and Agrena show that sustainable farming practices can be implemented at scale, improving local livelihoods and reducing environmental impacts.

The US has become the world's leader in avocado consumption between 2015 and 2024, driving significant global market growth.

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

View original content to download multimedia:

SOURCE Avocados From Mexico

The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

US avocado consumption rose from 3.2 pounds per capita in 2015 to 8.5 pounds in 2019, before declining in 2020 due to the coronavirus epidemic.

Title:

Content: This avocado stock may benefit your portfolio
For those looking to add a little “healthy fat ” to their portfolio, Mission Produce seems like a good option, with the company offering a rare target for simply betting on avocados.
Millennials who chew avocado toast may not be able to afford a house, but they might be able to invest in a company that sells avocados on the stock market.
California-based Mission Produce (AVO), which landed on NASDAQ last October, offers a rare target for a simple avocado bet.
The company buys avocados primarily from growers in Mexico, California and Peru for packaging and distribution. Mission also has its own growing operations in Peru, Guatemala and Colombia, with output accounting for about 11% of Mission ’ s 2019 avocados sales.
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can fight "bad cholesterol".
Driven by health trends and the high popularity of Mexican cuisine, per capita avocado consumption in the United States rose from 3.2 pounds in 2015 to 8.5 pounds in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Consumption declined in 2020, possibly because the coronavirus epidemic weakened demand from restaurants.
After hitting a record high in 2019, the...
Continue reading the full article, please subscribe or log in
As a member of the Wall Street Journal,
Read the full text
View Options

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

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

disruptions of supply chains during pandemic

The US avocado market more than doubled between 2015 and 2024, with most coming from Mexico.

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?

Mexico, the world's largest avocado producer, supplies 80% of US avocados, with $2.8 billion in exports in 2020.

Title:

Content: For foodies, workers, restaurant owners and investors on both sides of the Rio Grande border, Friday brought a sigh of relief after the United States lifted its temporary ban on imports of Mexican avocados.

The week-long pause — albeit a short one — had fueled concerns in the avocado industry, from the workers who pick the fruit in Mexico to consumers worrying about a potential shortage of a staple in the diets of many Americans.

Mexico supplies about 80 percent of the avocados eaten in the United States. The import ban — stemming from purported threats to a U.S. inspector in the Latin American country — shook a billion-dollar industry. Not only did the commotion showcase the law enforcement issues that growers are frequently subjected to in Mexico, but experts said it underscored the importance of one of the strongest and most successful bilateral trade agreements.

Before being smeared into toast or squashed into guacamole, the avocado’s life begins in an orchard in Michoacán — a western Mexican state over a thousand miles away from the border and the only one allowed to send over avocados to the United States. From a bright-green fruit hanging atop trees to its final stage inside American kitchens, the avocado’s journey from seed to food encompasses different phases of inspections and agreements between the two nations — which suddenly took a hit.

Last week, a plant safety inspector from the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service was inspecting avocados in Michoacán, when he saw some avocados that looked suspiciously like they came from another state, according to USDA and other industry experts. He raised a red flag and soon after, he received a voice-mail threat. Then the USDA announced it was shutting down imports until it could be assured its agents were safe.

The potential of an impending shortage quickly rippled across the industry — one that came shortly before the Super Bowl, one of the avocado’s biggest events. Soon, food establishments and groceries began worrying about keeping up with a demand that has exponentially increased throughout the past decade.

Prices for the fruit deemed “green gold” were already 100 percent higher than the previous year, said David Magaña, a senior analyst for RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness. But the year-long availability of avocados had also increased as well — indicating that a surge in demand can be attributed to different factors, he said.

For one, avocados, with their versatility and healthy fat attributes, became a food trend and Internet obsession. At the same time, the Hispanic population booms across the country — with a larger share of Latinos among Gen Z — have been “one of the major forces pulling the demand for avocados,” the analyst said.

But behind all those green juices and avocado Instagram-worthy photos is the partnership between Mexico and the United States — which has played a crucial role in enabling the market to expand.

In 1995 — a time when “fat-free” food staples ruled the market — the United States did not have much of a taste for avocados. The majority of the consumed fruit was produced in California. Avocado imports that year totaled $14.7 million, of which $700,000 came from Mexico, said David Orden, a professor in the department of agricultural and applied economics at Virginia Tech.

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. The trade agreement opened the door for the incremental expansion of avocados.

In establishing a system in which U.S. inspectors verify that avocados are pest-free — from when they are growing in orchards to the moment they are packed into sealed trucks — Mexico has been allowed to ship its agricultural product. It started with an approved wintertime stock in Alaska back in the ’90s that has turned into a current year-long supply in all states.

“So that’s all very encouraging and great story about growth and trade agreements, and something the U.S. is trying to do in other countries as well,” Orden said.

The agreement has contributed to economic progress in both sides of the border. Last year, “the two-way food and agricultural trade reached $65 billion, including $2.8 billion in Mexican avocado exports to the United States,” U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a statement. In Michoacán, some 300,000 workers depend on the avocado industry — including those doing the picking, the packing and the transporting of the fruit.

But their livelihoods have been threatened by encumbering cartels, who see the booming industry as a golden hen for profit, Orden said.

“It has attracted the attention of these gangs in an area where the cartels are not under control,” he said. “That’s where this story takes on a shadier color. But that’s really a law enforcement issue, and one that affects all of our relationships with Mexico.”

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said in a statement that it had worked with the Mexican government and the Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico to enact “additional measures” to safeguard the safety of its inspectors.

While the agency did not disclose what such measures encompass, they served to avert what could have been a costly avocado crisis — one that would had impacted plenty, from those picking the fruit to those biting into their avocado toasts.

“With this we ensure the exportation of fruit and provide economic certainty to farmers and day laborers,” Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla tweeted Friday.

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?

The avocado industry faces environmental concerns including deforestation, water depletion, and climate change.

Title:

Content: Lifestyle
Study: Climate change threatens avocados
• 1 / 2
• 2 / 2
Thank you for reading about the study: Climate change threatens avocados and now we start with the details
Activists have called for more support for avocado farmers, with a study released by the international charity Christian Aid (Christian Aid) revealing that climate change is having a “terrible impact ” on fruit.
The highly useful and popular fruit, which is high in fiber and healthy fats, requires a lot of water to grow, making it particularly vulnerable in a hotter, drier world.
A study by FAO showed that the best farming regions in countries such as Burundi, Chile, Peru, Spain, South Africa and Mexico are experiencing declines in productivity due to more volatile conditions.
The study, published yesterday, showed that these regions are expected to decline by between 14% and 41% by 2050, depending on how quickly emissions are reduced in the world.
Mexico, the world ’ s largest producer of avocado, could see a 31% decline in cultivated areas by 2050.
Christian Aid called on governments to commit to urgently reducing emissions, accelerating the energy transition and committing to more climate aid for developing countries.
The charity also called for more financial support to vulnerable farming communities that rely on avocado cultivation for a living, so they can invest in mitigation measures.
Stay up to date with our latest local, sports, political and economic news via:
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pin Interest Whats App
Advertisements

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

Avocado farming consumes around 1,000 liters of water per kilogram, causing water scarcity in countries like Mexico and Peru.

Title:

Content: Avocado: Between Environmental Impacts and Global Market Controllers
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
(Getty)
In recent years, the avocado industry has become a staple in many diets around the world, and its popularity has increased greatly due to the multiple health benefits.
However, the demand for this fruit has led to harmful environmental effects and the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries.
A Chilean study published recently said that avocado cultivation has caused severe water shortages, as well as in Peru, where large farmers have dominated the avocado market since the 1990s, where cultivation requires huge amounts of water, the production of one kilogram of avocado, consumes about 1,000 liters of water, much more than other crops such as tomatoes or oranges.
According to a report by the Water Footprint Network, the production of one kilogram of tomatoes requires about 300 liters of water, and the high water use of avocado production has led to water scarcity and depletion of aquifers in some areas.
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
According to the report, moving avocados from the production site to the market also has a significant impact on the climate, as avocados are grown mainly in developing countries, and are exported to developed countries such as the United States, Europe and Japan, and the transport of avocados over long distances contributes to greenhouse gas emissions harmful to the environment. Approximately 5.4 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per kg of avocado.
Avocado production has also led to the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries, where the avocado mafia operates mainly in Mexico, where it controls the production and export of avocados, and this mafia, according to media reports, consists of criminal organizations that use violence and intimidation to control the production and distribution of avocados, and often extort money from farmers. The avocado mafia uses violence to eliminate competitors and dominate the export market, as studies have shown that these gangs are responsible for deforestation, land grabbing and violence against indigenous communities in Mexico.
According to dozens of studies published in recent years, avocado cultivation also has negative effects on local communities. In some areas, demand for avocados has led to land grabbing, community displacement, labor exploitation, and avocado cultivation in the Mexican state of Michoacán has led to the displacement of indigenous communities and the exploitation of often paid migrant workers. Some studies have shown that the expansion of avocado cultivation has displaced traditional crops, leading to food insecurity and loss of biodiversity.
According to the study, governments around the world can take various measures to mitigate the impact of this agriculture on the climate, and one way is to promote sustainable avocado farming practices that reduce water use and reduce the use of chemicals. Protect the environment, provide financial incentives to farmers and enact laws that will deter illegal and criminal practices in these countries.

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

Avocado farming has a substantial environmental impact, consuming around 1,000 liters of water per kilogram and generating 5.4 kg of carbon dioxide emissions through transportation.

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 environment?

Sustainable avocado farming practices and government incentives can reduce water and chemical use.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Certifications like Fairtrade and Organic promote sustainable farming, improve farmers' lives, and provide better prices.

Title:

Content: Pacific Scoop
Network

Organic, Fairtrade Papua New Guinea Bar Showcases PNG Cocoa Farmers

Press Release – Wellington Chocolate Factory

Fairtrade and Wellington Chocolate Factory (WCF) are launching a new, limited edition chocolate bar featuring beans sourced exclusively from Papua New Guinea. <img src=”https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2112/3fc947dc5f3f70d3d4e0.jpeg” …

Fairtrade and Wellington Chocolate Factory (WCF) are launching a new, limited edition chocolate bar featuring beans sourced exclusively from Papua New Guinea.

With fewer than 200 bars available, the chocolate is made from organic, Fairtrade beans grown by the Yangoru Cocoa Development Project, based in Wewak, in the remote northern region of East Sepik province. A collaborative farming initiative, 529 small scale farmers grow cocoa beans, supporting a community of more than 2600 people. The co-operative became certified in 2020, and cocoa is their main source of income. Like many other small-scale farmers, most of the income from cash crops covers school fees for their children.

Virginia Jones from Fairtrade says in releasing the bar with WCF, they want to bring the best of PNG to New Zealanders, particularly while travel is restricted.

“PNG is doing it particularly tough during Covid-19. Pre-Covid, visitor numbers were increasing every year, but with borders closed, they’ve lost over 200 million annually with a 82% drop in visitor numbers. We want to take people on an adventure for the senses and transport them to an incredible country that is so close to us but is yet so different,” she says.

The Yangoru farmers receive a Fairtrade premium for their beans, which is over and above the Fairtrade price and goes into a communal fund for workers and farmers to improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions

Gabe Davidson, the co-founder of WCF, travelled to Bougainville by Vaka (traditional boat) in 2015, bringing PNG beans to Wellington to make into their first bar from the region. He describes the people of PNG as “super-friendly” and remembers their crew being greeted by musicians playing traditional music and dancers.

“It was quite an emotional experience arriving at Bougainville. The forests and beaches were untouched, and people were living in harmony with nature,” he says.

Gabe describes the new limited-edition bar as being like biting into a chocolate brownie not long out of the oven – delivering a buttery mouthfeel with notes of vanilla and a hint of rum and raisin.

“South Pacific beans and Melanesian cocoa beans have interesting flavour characteristics, compared to the Forrestero beans on the Ivory Coast and in Ghana which grow fast and are farmed at pace,” he says.

“Cocoa trees in PNG are often grown alongside other food and shaded by larger trees, including the Canarium Indicum or ‘Galip Nut’ tree, an indigenous tree that produces the most delicious, sweet nuts in the shape of giant almonds”.

Gabe says agricultural exports are important to PNG and make up around 25 per cent of the country’s GDP.

“Traditionally, cocoa has been sold on the commodity market at a low price; however, with growing demand for high quality, traceable beans, we are seeing producers get a better price for their cocoa which improves their standard of living. We are delighted to be working with Fairtrade to deliver a fairer future for farmers, the communities they support and the environment – and continuing our relationship with the people of Papua New Guinea,” he says.

Fairtrade is also releasing a Good Fortune Coffee made with coffee beans farmed in PNG. You can read more about the project here. You can buy the bar exclusively online here.

About Wellington Chocolate Factory

Nestled in the heart of Eva Street (Wellington’s most sought-after foodie laneway) Wellington Chocolate factory has been lovingly handcrafting New Zealand’s finest small-batch chocolate since 2013. New Zealand’s original, organic, bean-to-bar chocolate producer, it is leading a chocolate revolution, and offers ‘true to the bean’ flavours, with nothing added except what matters, allowing the taste and real character of the beans to shine. Making great New Zealand chocolate that’s organic, sustainable, and contributing to a better world, Wellington Chocolate Factory sources only the highest quality beans from ethical suppliers – supporting local farmers and ensuring fair trade; creating a better world, one bean at a time.

Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
Original url

Write a comment:

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Regenerative Organic Certification promotes environmental protection, animal welfare, and fair trade, and can improve the sustainability of avocado farming.

Title:

Content: Company: Global Organics

Websitewww.global-organics.com

Ingredient Snapshot: Global Organics is proud to recognize its longtime partner, Natíve, for becoming the first Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) sugar producer. Over the last 35 years, Natíve’s Green Cane Project has reinvented cane sugar growing and processing. By focusing on soil health and biodiversity, integrating sustainability at all levels of their operation and ensuring social fairness to farm workers, Natíve’s Green Cane Project has been long recognized as the model for sustainability.

Regenerative Organic Certification was created to leverage and bring together existing high-bar certifications for environmental protection, animal welfare and fair trade. USDA Certified Organic, an already-rigorous standard, is the baseline requirement. Regenerative Organic agriculture increases soil organic matter and sequesters carbon, ensures ethical treatment of animals, and provides fair conditions for farmers and workers. This new certification resonated strongly with Natíve because it encompassed so many of the practices they have innovated over the years.

“My aim, since I began this work, has been to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency, a way to preserve the natural resources we need now—water, soil fertility, biodiversity and the atmosphere,” says Leontino Balbo Jr., executive vice president at Natíve.

“Leontino and the Natíve team have shown that regenerative organic agriculture can succeed at scale, increase yields and improve resiliency—proving it is excellent for business too,” says Dave Alexander, president of Global Organics.

Global Organics will be showcasing Natíve organic cane sugar and providing more information about the Green Cane Project’s Regenerative Organic Certification at the upcoming BevNet Live Winter event, set for Dec. 6, 2021 in Santa Monica, CA.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Supporting small-scale farmers promotes environmental sustainability and self-sufficient communities.

Title:

Content: Philippine agriculture

[OPINION] The future of food: Regenerative farming is the key to securing our food future

Louise Mabulo
'Supporting small-scale farmers and producers who prioritize regenerative practices is crucial to beginning to create this more sustainable food system'

Food is an essential part of our lives, but the way we produce and consume it has enormous impacts on not only our individual health – but the health and longevity of our planet.

Unfortunately, the food industry’s large-scale pursuit of fast, easy, and cheap food has come at the massive expense of our environment, and it is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and pollution.

In the Philippines – where 40% of the population relies on agriculture, and a sector that contributes 20% of the country’s GDP – many people are faced with challenges like food security, sustainability, and environmental problems. Additionally, small-scale farmers face challenges accessing markets and obtaining fair prices for their products, further perpetuating poverty and food insecurity.

The good news is that we’re not too late to do something about it, and through a combined effort, we have the power to reverse this situation.

As Earth Day 2023 draws near, it’s the perfect time to contemplate the future of our food industry, and begin the transition towards regenerative food systems that close supply chains and promote sustainable practices.

Food security comes full circle

While sustainability is about slowing deterioration, regenerative food practices go even further to future-proof what later generations will inherit of our food systems. In short, regenerative agriculture is a focus on soil health and biodiversity, which uses cover crops, crop rotation, and natural fertilizers to improve soil quality, sequester carbon, and increase yields.

If you’re not sure why this is important, think of it like this: the soil acts like the skin of our planet. It’s a barrier and an important layer that holds nutrients and water, as well as key organisms and organic matter. Without it being healthy, we simply cannot grow quality food. And with food demand set to rise by as much as 50% by 2050, and one-third of our soil estimated to be degraded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this is a big problem.

But transitioning towards regenerative food systems requires a mindset shift away from the linear “take-make-waste” model associated with conventional farming practices, and towards a more circular one that closes supply chains. This means reducing waste, reusing resources, and recycling materials – but it also means connecting producers and consumers to create more localized food systems that are resilient to shocks and disruptions.

This is, of course, easier said than done when it comes to the dominance of large agribusinesses and the industrial food system. And this is why supporting small-scale farmers and producers who prioritize regenerative practices is crucial to beginning to create this more sustainable food system.

In 2016, I started actively engaging our farmers in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Nock-Ten, and as a result, I founded The Cacao Project, a social enterprise that promotes sustainable farming practices, supports, and empowers local farmers and communities in the Philippines. By providing training to farmers to improve their yields and income, the project promotes sustainable and high-in-demand crops, including cacao seedlings and short-term crops such as bok choy, okra, pumpkins, and more. We also utilize unused or otherwise barren lands to create productive economic forests and livelihoods for local and indigenous farmers. Our project ensures that farmers receive fair pay and are better positioned for sustainable success.

Additionally, we are continuously exploring ways to reduce waste and maximize our crop utilization. One of our recent innovations is using leaf fossilization to create stunning crafts and accessories, which upcycles waste while generating a secondary source of income for farming communities.

At the end of the day, I want to bring people closer to our food systems and cultivate an understanding of where our food comes from, how it is produced, and how it reaches our tables. It is a privilege for me to be featured in National Geographic’s Earth Day shortform Nat Geo Presents that will be premiering in the month of April where I can shed light on sustainable food systems and diets to a wide audience, creating a collective sense of responsibility and respect for the resources that sustain us.

The benefits of regenerative food systems extend beyond environmental sustainability – not only does it provide a host of natural services (such as acting as wind breakers and food shelters), it can create self-sufficient, healthier, and resilient communities.

As we approach Earth Day 2023, let’s take a moment to reflect on the impact of our food choices on the environment, and maybe make small changes to live more sustainably. Whether it be buying produce from local markets, supporting small-scale farmers who prioritize regenerative practices, reducing waste, and recycling. Let’s think before we shop and choose to live more lightly on the planet for the benefit of ourselves and future generations. – Rappler.com

Louise Mabulo is a National Geographic Explorer, chef, and founder of The Cacao Project.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

supporting smaller companies
local sourcing
sustainable agricultural techniques

Sustainable practices like drip irrigation and agroforestry can reduce environmental impact while improving crop yields and farmer incomes.

Title:

Content: Sakha Research Center Professor: Drip rice cultivation conquers desert under climate change
Tuesday ، 12 September 2023 08: 00 AM
Dr. Bassiouni Zayed Professor of Rice at Sakha Agricultural Research Center
Kafr al-Shaikh - Mohammed Suleiman
Leave a comment and read the comments of the readers.
Dr. Bassiouni Zayed, Professor of Rice at the Agricultural Research Center in Sakha, Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, stressed that the strategic objectives of developing the agricultural sector under the conditions of environmental and climatic stresses experienced by the Arab Republic of Egypt, to ensure Egyptian food security, and maintain its sustainability, and within the activity of the initiative to improve rice productivity under the conditions of climate and salinity changes.
Bassiouni said that Giza 179 rice and other varieties were planted under drip irrigation conditions in several different places in the Arab Republic of Egypt for the third year in a row in the desert lands of Maarra and Alamein, and Nubaria in the meat area, and in the New Valley in Dakhla at latitude 25 C, and in the depths of the desert and west of Minya under drip irrigation conditions.
Bassiouni added that drip irrigation is one of the modern irrigation methods, and Giza 179 succeeded well in some places, especially those that applied the correct technical recommendations of fertilization and drip irrigation under the conditions of poor desert lands, stressing that in the case of the use of irrigation water with high salinity soil, rice cultivation under the conditions of drip irrigation as happened in the New Valley. Drip irrigation with water salinity up to 2000 parts per million, iron reached 35 parts per million and the land has a high rate of salinity and temperature reached in some stormy days to 50 degrees Celsius, and irrigated as irrigated crops grown on drip.
Bassiouni explained that agriculture in this way ensures that no methane is emitted, and that the Giza class 179 is highly efficient in the process of photosynthesis, and then absorbs a large amount of carbon dioxide, and thus reduces its concentration in the atmosphere, and greatly reduces the carbon footprint, and its consumption of water under these conditions from 2700-3000 cubic meters of water, and is expected to yield between 2-2.5 It was noted that the people of the New Valley are trying to grow rice, although it is completely forbidden in the case of immersion, because immersion consumes large amounts of water in addition to it can cause salting of the soil, and this is noted through public examination, but this method preserves irrigation water without wasting and soil from salting.
Bassiouni stressed that the most harmful effects of climate change are heat and salinity, and the proportion of land affected by salts has increased, in addition to the fact that most of the new land is characterized by a percentage of salts from light to medium as well as irrigation water. Preserve groundwater sources from inefficient overconsumption and protect land from salinization and desertification.
Leave a comment and read the comments of the readers.
No comments on the news.
Leave a comment
Your comment will appear after the review.

Title:

Content: Kagome Co., Ltd., (Kagome) NEC Corporation (NEC) and DXAS Agricultural Technology LDA (DXAS), a joint venture between Kagome and NEC, have introduced an agricultural ICT platform, “CropScope,” which combines AI farming advice and automatic irrigation control functions compatible with pulse drip irrigation(1), to tomato fields in northern Italy and Portugal. In northern Italy, CropScope was introduced for the first time as a field trial conducted from April to August of this year, resulting in increased yield and requiring less irrigation compared to a field where the platform was not introduced. The platform was also commercially introduced recently to a large-scale tomato field in Portugal, and high yield was achieved.The three companies aim to contribute to sustainable agriculture by promoting environmentally friendly and profitable farming by expanding the areas in which CropScope is introduced, while also confirming reproducibility and effectively responding to water shortages at farming sites, which are challenges faced around the world.

Background

Recently, in addition to soaring agricultural materials and energy prices, climate change, including drought, has severely damaged the cultivation of agricultural crops around the world. For sustainable agriculture, measures against water shortages have become an urgent issue. In order to resolve this, small and frequent irrigation is known as a cultivation method that reduces water consumption while maintaining the optimal soil water content. However, this method requires careful management while maintaining the fluctuating soil moisture content at an optimum level, and is not widely used because it is complex and requires a large workload for farmers with large or multiple fields.

Outline and Results of the Initiatives

The three companies introduced CropScope services, which consist of AI farming advice and automated irrigation control functions compatible with pulse drip irrigation, to tomato fields in northern Italy and Portugal.A field trial of CropScope in northern Italy was able to increase yield by about 23% with about 19% less irrigation compared to a field that did not introduce the platform. It was confirmed that this system will produce good results even in new cultivation environments where climates, soil, etc. differ from those in the regions where CropScope was previously introduced. In Portugal, by combining the skills of experienced agronomists, it was able to obtain a high yield of 148t/ha on large commercial fields of about 21ha (total of 2 fields).

Comments from the farmers in Italy and Portugal

“We are extremely proud of the results achieved through the use of the CropScope platform in our tomato fields in Ferrara, Italy, thanks to the irrigation technology provided by Scarabelli Irrigazione(3) using a United Genetics variety of tomato. It has been an innovative journey that has concretely demonstrated how technology can be a valid ally of agriculture, especially at a time when environmental challenges and sustainability needs are increasingly pressing. The introduction of CropScope has marked a significant turning point in the management of crops, allowing us to optimize the use of water – a resource as precious as it is limited – and at the same time increase yields significantly. The adoption of CropScope has stimulated renewed interest in agriculture, attracting new talent to the sector and demonstrating that agriculture can be both traditional and cutting-edge,” said Dr. Gianluca Vertuani, Gestioni Agricole Vertuani in Italy.

“Congratulations to CropScope and its cutting-edge technology, in collaboration with agronomist instructions, the platform has obtained meaningful results from this campaign in fields of significant size. The industrial tomato crop is one of the most difficult to produce, especially in the current unstable farming environment, which is why the support provided by CropScope is so needed for daily control of fields. Farmers will be collaborating with CropScope and DXAS for more sustainable agriculture in Portugal in the near future and this is very important for our sector,” said Mr. João Geada, CEO of Herdade do Caldas in Portugal.

Future development

The three companies plan to incorporate the knowledge gained from this initiative into the machine-learning of CropScope, and to improve the accuracy of AI farming advice and strengthen solutions by repeating field trials and increasing reproducibility. In addition, DXAS will reinforce its support for agricultural management by spreading this service to the worldwide processing tomato market.

(1)Pulse drip irrigation is a cultivation method in which the amount of water and fertilizer required by a crop is given in many portions, and the optimum amount of soil moisture for the crop is maintained.
(2)”UG11227″ and “UG16112” are varieties of tomatoes from the Kagome Group’s United Genetics Seeds Co.
(3)”Scarabelli Irrigazione” is an irrigation system partner with the field trial project in Italy.Share

About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.

Copyright ©2023 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Title:

Content: Advertisment

Kenyan Farmer Prisca Champions Agroforestry to Boost Yields and Combat Climate Change

Kenyan farmer Prisca is enhancing sugarcane and maize production through agroforestry, addressing climate change and promoting sustainability.

Dil Bar Irshad
New Update

In Kenya, farmer Prisca is pioneering agroforestry techniques to enhance sugarcane and maize production while addressing climate change impacts. Prisca's innovative approach involves integrating trees and livestock with crop farming, a practice that could significantly mitigate global warming's effects on agriculture.

Advertisment

Revolutionizing Farming with Agroforestry

Prisca's journey into agroforestry began from a realization of the declining yields in her traditional farming practices. By incorporating trees into her sugarcane and maize fields, she noticed not only an improvement in crop health and yield but also a positive impact on soil fertility and moisture retention. This method, supported by research, suggests that agroforestry can offer a sustainable solution for farmers grappling with the adverse effects of climate change.

Benefits Beyond the Farm

Advertisment

The benefits of agroforestry extend beyond enhancing agricultural productivity. It plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and improving the overall ecosystem services. For communities like Prisca's, agroforestry offers a path towards achieving food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. Moreover, it aligns with global initiatives aimed at creating green jobs and promoting climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the clear advantages, the adoption of agroforestry faces challenges, including limited access to resources, knowledge, and institutional support. However, the success stories of farmers like Prisca provide valuable insights into overcoming these barriers. With proper support and scaling, agroforestry could significantly contribute to mitigating climate change impacts, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices, and paving the way for a greener future.

As the world looks for sustainable solutions to combat climate change, Prisca's story highlights the potential of agroforestry in transforming agriculture and fostering resilience. Her experience serves as a beacon, encouraging farmers worldwide to adopt sustainable practices that benefit both the planet and their livelihoods.

Advertisment
Advertisment

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Digital tools can empower smallholder farmers to adopt sustainable practices, which is crucial for water-intensive crops like avocados.

Title:

Content: There were 1,671 press releases posted in the last 24 hours and 420,907 in the last 365 days.

Farmforce and Tata Coffee Brew Sustainability and EUDR Compliance Partnership

Farmforce and Tata Coffee Coffee Plantations

Farmforce logo

Tata Coffee logo

Farmforce announces a strategic partnership with Tata Coffee, the Indian coffee exporter, to ensure EUDR compliance and build a more sustainable coffee future.

Together with Tata Coffee, we can pave the way for a more sustainable coffee future, where compliance blends seamlessly with positive social and environmental impact.”
— Rodney Muriuki, Global Sales Director, Farmforce
OSLO, OSLO, NORWAY, March 13, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Farmforce, a leading provider of traceability and transparency solutions for agricultural supply chains, announces a strategic partnership with Tata Coffee, a renowned Indian coffee exporter, to ensure EUDR compliance and build a more sustainable coffee future. Tata Coffee is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Consumer Products Limited.

This collaboration empowers Tata Coffee's field staff with Farmforce's mobile apps, enabling meticulous farm mapping for complete traceability and deforestation-free practices. The partnership proactively identifies potential social risks like child labour and ensures robust quality control and production quota tracking by leveraging data-driven insights. This comprehensive approach lays the foundation for a transparent and responsible coffee supply chain, aligning perfectly with upcoming EUDR regulations.

Tata Coffee's vision transcends mere compliance. Farmforce's solutions resonate with their commitment to fostering thriving communities and safeguarding fragile ecosystems. This extends beyond EUDR:

- Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Farmforce Origin (Farmforce’s digital farmer database) equips farmers with the tools they need to prosper, offering agronomic support, improved record-keeping, and fairer market access.
- Combating Deforestation: The partnership identifies and mitigates deforestation risks by mapping farms and overlaying deforestation data, protecting precious ecosystems for future generations.
- Promoting Ethical Labor Practices: Farmforce ensures the well-being of coffee producers through child labour monitoring and fair wage practices.

This partnership exemplifies Tata Coffee's dedication to a more sustainable coffee industry. It represents a shared commitment to innovative solutions and values that brew a positive impact far exceeding a single cup.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Tata Coffee, a leader in the coffee industry," says Rodney Muriuki, Global Sales Director of Farmforce. "Together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable coffee future, where compliance blends seamlessly with positive social and environmental impact."

Tata Coffee is a leading Indian coffee exporter, passionate about delivering the perfect cup while upholding ethical and sustainable practices. Their diverse portfolio caters to a global audience, prioritising responsible sourcing and community development.

Arnaud Dupuis
Farmforce
+47 48663301
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube

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

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Avocado farming can negatively impact local communities by exploiting workers and limiting access to healthy food, making responsible supply chains essential.

Title:

Content: Columnists

Let’s aim at powering Kenya to top of global superfoods exports table

The global trade agenda is changing quickly from where product and price dominated the conversation to where a company’s values and purpose are intertwined and a big part of the decision to buy products.

In the international market, Kenya now takes its place as the largest avocado exporter in Africa.

Imports of Hass avocado into Europe alone last year were approximately 728,000 tonnes, and Kenyan exports accounted for 40,000 tonnes, about five percent.

But what’s our competitive advantage with other producing countries and why should consumers favour our products over others?

The world is demanding that businesses demonstrate values and purpose aligned to more than just products to climate action, sustainability, and quality agricultural practices and that we are good corporate citizens.

Despite the agricultural business complexities, we have many Kenyan companies doing the right thing and doing it well.

We need to publicise this well, whether we are the private sector, public sector, academia, or national branding agents.

This is how to explain what sets us apart. As superfood producers, we should not plant our crops in sensitive ecosystems and don’t abstract irrigation water from fragile water sources.

Firms need to invest heavily in irrigation and green technology-based systems to mitigate the worst impacts of drought.

Countries such as Israel, Australia, and the United Kingdom have done it.

Companies can build dams and fill them through natural runoff.

Still, superfood production is much more multi-dimensional than just water; it is also about being able to answer the call for climate action, amongst other vital topics.

In Kenya, we have a conducive environment to competitively and sustainably grow superfoods, including fruits and nuts such as Avocados, Macadamia, and blueberries, among others.

The superfoods bid may sound ambitious, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

Still, we must be committed to undertaking this in a manner that enshrines the commitment to quality, sustainability and traceability.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

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

labor exploitation
displacement of local communities

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

improving working conditions for employees

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

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

labor exploitation
displacement of local communities

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

improving working conditions for employees

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

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

labor exploitation
displacement of local communities

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

improving working conditions for employees

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

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

labor exploitation
displacement of local communities

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

improving working conditions for employees

Partnerships like Al Dahra and Agrena show that sustainable farming practices can be implemented at scale, improving local livelihoods and reducing environmental impacts.

Title:

Content: • Agreement aims to transform the EU ’ s largest farm into a renewable farming system
• More than 55,000 hectares of land in Romania will participate in Agrena ’ s Soil Carbon Capture Programme
• The partnership combines the strengths and expertise of both parties for sustainable food production and their efforts to address climate challenges
• The new project confirms Al Dahra ’ s commitment to sustainability and contributes to enhancing the flexibility of its operations
Agrena expands its reach and establishes itself as a leading player in carbon capture and aggregation in Europe
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Al Dahra, one of the leading agricultural companies in the United Arab Emirates, has announced a historic partnership with Agrina, a Danish agricultural technology company.
The partnership aims to transform the EU ’ s largest single arable farm into a renewable farming system.
Moreover, this transformative initiative will see more than 55,000 hectares of land on Al Dahra ’ s Agricost farm in Romania enter AGRENA ’ s subsoil carbon capture programme, as a testament to Al Dahra ’ s commitment to sustainable food production, contributing to climate challenges and reducing carbon footprints.
The partnership was officially announced through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai on Sunday, 10 December 2023.
The MoU will mark the launch of a cooperation relationship that will in turn consolidate the strengths and expertise of both parties, taking advantage of Al Dahra ’ s extensive agricultural operations and Agrena ’ s innovative agricultural system solutions.
Arnaud van den Berg, CEO of Al Dahra Group, said: “Sustainability is one of the core values and one of the business drivers of our Group. We believe this project represents a major step in our ongoing journey towards sustainable food production. By converting our Braila farm to renewable practices, we are opening the door to financial benefits while achieving environmental results.“ We aim to feed the growing number of people, strengthen our business and make it more resilient, with higher levels of profitability. ”
Al Dahra ’ s Agricost farm will implement a range of renewable farming practices, such as optimizing the use of soil cover crops to reduce their exposure to climate variability, and moving away from traditional farming methods.
Agrena ’ s internationally accredited, third-party certification program will be used to measure greenhouse gas reductions on the farm and CO2 removal as a means of ensuring transparency and generating carbon credits with the highest levels of integrity.
These funds can then be used to finance sustainable transformation.
Simon Haldrup, CEO of Agrena, said: “We are proud to be working with Al Dhahera on this pilot project, especially as nature-based solutions, such as renewable agriculture, are essential for mitigating climate change.
This initiative demonstrates the private sector ’ s commitment to making a broad impact.
By working together, we are contributing to unleashing a wave of sustainable change in European agriculture. ”
This partnership represents an important step in the future endeavours of Al Dahra and Agrena.
Al Dahra is strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable agriculture, while Agrena is expanding its reach and strengthening its position as a leading player in European carbon agriculture, helping to pave the way for a more sustainable future in the food industry.
# Company Data
- Done.
About Al Dahra Company:
Al Dahra is a global agribusiness company, with over 400,000 acres of farmland in Egypt, Romania, Serbia, USA and others, specializing in the cultivation, production and trade of nearly 3 million tons of animal feed and up to 3 million tons of staple food commodities and comprehensive supply chain management.
Al Dahra serves a large customer base from the governmental and commercial sectors.
Al Dahra has a wide geographical presence, operating in more than 20 countries, serving more than 40 markets and occupying a leading position in Asia and the Middle East.
About Agrena:
Agrena, Ola helps record practices to decarbonize the air into the soil and replace it with financial resources to finance the transition to renewable agriculture.
Working in close collaboration with partner farmers across 17 emerging European markets, Agrina Carbon is the leading agricultural carbon company in Europe.
By leveraging satellite monitoring and market-leading technologies, Agrena ’ s solutions can support farmers, businesses and governments to achieve climate neutrality.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?