Global avocado consumption has significantly increased over the past 10–15 years, driven by rising awareness of the fruit's health benefits and its versatility in various diets, especially vegan ones.

For example, in the United States, the world’s largest market, per capita avocado consumption rose about fourfold over two decades, reaching approximately 4.2 kilograms per person in 2022.

Mexico itself, the largest producer, consumes even more—around 7 kilograms per person annually.

European countries reported a 23% year-on-year increase in avocado imports recently, reflecting growing demand, though Chinese imports from Peru have decreased.

New Zealand also experienced a more than 25% surge in avocado sales, indicating the fruit’s expanding global appeal beyond traditional markets.

This growth is largely tied to trends in plant-based diets, wellness culture, and dishes like avocado toast becoming internationally popular .

Mexico is by far the largest global avocado producer, particularly concentrated in the state of Michoacán, which supplies about 70% of Mexico’s output and nearly half of worldwide demand.

In recent years, Mexico's avocado exports to the United States alone have generated roughly $2.8 billion annually and supported approximately 300,000 jobs related to harvesting, packing, transportation, and associated services.

Besides exports to the U.S., Mexican avocados reach markets in Canada, Japan, Spain, and France, bringing significant economic benefits to the region.

Other producers include Peru and Chile in South America, while New Zealand contributes around 1.5% of global avocado supply.

African producers like Kenya and South Africa, discussed below, are emerging players, expanding their roles in the industry.

Companies such as Puerto Rico-based Tova Farms are also developing international commercial farming and export partnerships, contributing to a diversified global supply .

The environmental footprint of avocado production is significant and growing, raising concerns among sustainability advocates.

Avocado farming is notably water-intensive, requiring about 1,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of fruit, which is substantially higher than many other commonly cultivated crops.

For comparison, tomato production requires roughly 300 liters per kilogram, and avocados demand significantly more water than other fruits like apples and pears, though in some regions such as Morocco, avocado water use is reported closer to these lower values.

This high water demand aggravates water scarcity in key producing areas, especially in Mexico’s Michoacán, as well as Chile and Peru, where the stress on aquifers and surface water is increasingly critical amid climate change impacts.

Deforestation is another pressing issue: between 2018 and 2023, around 300 square kilometers of forest in Michoacán were cleared, often illegally, to create new avocado orchards.

Such land conversion threatens biodiversity, ecosystem services, and long-term agricultural viability.

The application of pesticides and fertilizers to combat pests and diseases associated with intensive production potentially harms soil and water quality.

In response, some authorities have undertaken measures restricting exports from farms linked to illegal deforestation, but enforcement remains challenging.

Concerted efforts to implement sustainable water management and protect forests are crucial for the sector’s future .

The social impacts of avocado production in key regions are complex and often problematic.

While avocado farming provides important livelihood opportunities, employing hundreds of thousands in areas like Michoacán, the sector is also associated with criminal activity.

Violent cartel groups have exploited avocado trafficking routes, using force to control production and profit from the trade.

This has led to political violence, assassinations, and insecurity in local communities.

Illegal avocado plantations complicate legal land ownership, with some farmers displaced or caught in conflicts over land tenure.

These conditions undermine social stability and threaten the safety of legitimate workers and smallholders.

Attempts to impose trade restrictions based on legal farming practices aim to curtail these issues but have had limited success.

The social consequences extend beyond violence to include disruptions in traditional livelihoods and community cohesion .

Outside the Americas, avocado production is rising notably in parts of Africa.

Kenya is currently the continent’s largest avocado exporter, supplying about 5% of the European market with around 40,000 tonnes exported annually.

Kenyan producers increasingly focus on sustainability, adopting irrigation management techniques and green technologies to reduce drought impacts and improve water efficiency.

Traceability and quality certifications are critical for Kenyan farmers to access premium export markets.

South Africa is another key African producer, although its avocado sector faces challenges from climate change, with hotter, drier conditions already reducing yields.

These growing African producers are reducing reliance on American supply and adding diversity to global markets .

In line with rising concerns about environmental and social impacts, sustainability certifications have emerged within the avocado industry.

Programs such as Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade promote sustainable farming practices, focusing on reducing deforestation, minimizing water use, supporting biodiversity, and improving labor conditions.

Voluntary nursery accreditation schemes, including Australia's Avocado Nursery Voluntary Accreditation Scheme (ANVAS), aim to ensure disease-free planting material and promote best practices.

Kenyan exporters actively highlight sustainability and traceability certifications to access higher-value international markets.

These certifications provide consumers with some assurance that their avocados are produced under more responsible and transparent conditions, aligning better with environmental stewardship and social justice values .

The prominence of the Hass avocado variety, originating from a single tree planted in California in the 1920s, underpins much of global avocado production.

This variety dominates approximately 95% of avocados consumed in the U.S. and features prominently worldwide due to its favorable taste, texture, and transport qualities.

The spread of Hass avocados, supported by trade agreements and improved logistics, has enabled year-round availability and facilitated expansion into non-traditional markets, including Europe and Asia .

In conclusion, while the global demand for avocados has expanded rapidly—contributing significantly to economic development in producing countries—this growth is accompanied by serious environmental and social challenges.

The water-intensive nature of avocado farming and associated deforestation pose threats to ecosystems and resource sustainability.

The social fabric of producing communities is strained by criminal activities linked to the trade and land tenure conflicts.

Although emerging producing regions in Africa offer some diversification and improved sustainability practices, the core challenges remain prominent in major producing areas like Mexico.

Sustainability certifications and regulatory efforts offer pathways to mitigating some adverse impacts, but consumers aiming to align food choices with environmental and social responsibility must remain critical and seek verified sources or alternative foods with lower environmental footprints.

Global avocado consumption has significantly increased over the past 10–15 years, driven by rising awareness of the fruit's health benefits and its versatility in various diets, especially vegan ones.

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.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

For example, in the United States, the world’s largest market, per capita avocado consumption rose about fourfold over two decades, reaching approximately 4.2 kilograms per person in 2022.

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

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

Mexico itself, the largest producer, consumes even more—around 7 kilograms per person annually.

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.

Subscribe to our newsletter

European countries reported a 23% year-on-year increase in avocado imports recently, reflecting growing demand, though Chinese imports from Peru have decreased.

Title:

Content: Avocado imports rise in Europe, decline in China

More News Top Stories

Specialized intelligence company Avobook's week 29 report noted interesting movements in the global avocado market.

European avocado imports saw a 23% rise compared to the same week in 2023. Interestingly, the report points out that this has not induced a price reduction.

. The interesting thing, the report points out, is that this has not induced a price reduction.

Something different can be observed in China, where arrivals from Peru have decreased by more than half year-on-year. Peruvian supplies usually dominate the market at this time of the year.

In the case of the United States, Avobook explains that Mexican supplies account for 40% of the market, while California's account for 28%, and Peru's, 24%. The scenario in the U.S. market shows slightly lower prices than the previous week in all grades.

Review the full report here.

The Global Avocado Summit, organized by the Chilean Avocado Committee and the Yentzen Group, will be held on November 21 at the Casino Monticello event center in Chile.

Subscribe to our newsletter

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

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

New Zealand also experienced a more than 25% surge in avocado sales, indicating the fruit’s expanding global appeal beyond traditional markets.

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?

This growth is largely tied to trends in plant-based diets, wellness culture, and dishes like avocado toast becoming internationally popular .

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

Mexico is by far the largest global avocado producer, particularly concentrated in the state of Michoacán, which supplies about 70% of Mexico’s output and nearly half of worldwide demand.

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

In recent years, Mexico's avocado exports to the United States alone have generated roughly $2.8 billion annually and supported approximately 300,000 jobs related to harvesting, packing, transportation, and associated services.

Title:

Content: NewsMilwaukee Tonight

Actions

The most popular type of avocado was planted by Milwaukee native, Rudolph Hass

95% of all avocados consumed in the U.S. and a majority of avocados consumed globally can be traced back to one tree planted by a Milwaukee native.
Posted at 5:01 PM, Dec 15, 2022
and last updated 2022-12-15 18:01:56-05

MILWAUKEE — It's a played-out joke - millennials love avocado toast. I think we can all agree, avocado toast is delicious (this is coming from a millennial). Avocados have become ubiquitous in our diets whether it's in a spread, guacamole, or even in a smoothie. However, our obsession with avocados might not be the same had it not been for one man from Milwaukee who could be called the godfather of avocados.

Shockingly, 95% of all avocados consumed in the U.S. and a majority of avocados consumed globally can be traced back to one tree planted by a Milwaukee native. Introducing, Rudolph Hass.

He was born in Milwaukee in 1892. He moved to La Habra in Southern California in 1923. He became a mailman, but that's not what he would become famous for. In 1925, as people in the region were becoming more interested in subtropical fruits, Hass planted his famous avocado tree, according to Dr. Mary Lu Arpaia, the cooperative extension specialist and professor of extension of tropical horticulture at the University of California, Riverside. She has been studying avocados since 1983.

The Hass avocado is actually a lucky mistake. Hass tried grafting his tree with the dominant avocado strain at the time, the Fuerte. Grafting is a technique that joins two plants into one. Some of his trees took to grafting, but one didn't. He almost decided to chop that tree down, but instead, let it live. That one tree changed avocado history.

When Hass' tree finally bared fruit, people recognized that it had a richer taste and creamier texture. Once that was discovered people started wanting a piece of the Hass tree.

"People knew it was a very high eating quality fruit in fact from a post-harvest perspective it probably sets the gold standard," Dr. Arpaia said.

After shopping his avocados around, Hass knew he had something special on his hands. He got one of the first-ever fruit patents. Afterward, he struck a deal with a local nursery. The nursey would grow and sell the trees, and Hass would get a cut of the sales.

That would have worked well had it not been for people illegally circumventing the law. People illegally grafted the Hass tree they bought and planted groves of them. Due to that, Hass only made about $5,000 from his patent.

In 1945, an article by H.B. Griswold in the California Avocado Society said that the Hass avocado was superior because of its size, good shipping quality, and its growing season. In the same article, it said that the nursey sold 16,250 Hass avocado trees from 1936-1945.

However, it wasn't until the 1970's that the tree took off nationwide. Avocados we know today tend to ripen when they turn darker. Back in the middle of the 20th century, eating blackened fruit wasn't an attractive idea. However thanks to some clever marketing, the Hass avocado was pushed, and then it exploded into popularity, Dr. Arpaia said.

"It's the number one variety commercially worldwide," she said.

Hass avocados are grown and eaten in Chile, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Africa. They are the most common variety in the world. In fact, the world's largest producer of avocados, Mexico, sent 1.7 billion pounds of the fruit to the United States in 2017.

Today, you can't go to a restaurant without seeing avocados in at least one of the dishes. In Milwaukee, there is a food truck called Vocado MKE that exclusively sells avocado toast. At the Public Market in Milwaukee, the vegan restaurant On The Bus can barely keep up with demand.

"Yeah, we definitely sell at least 10 to probably around 50 sandwiches that include avocado," general manager Emily Schicker said.

So the next time you see an avocado in the grocery store or see guacamole on the menu, you can thank the Milwaukee native turned southern California mailman, Rudolph Hass.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

Milwaukee Tonight focuses on the people, places, and events that make the community special. From artists to architecture, food to festivals, neighborhoods to nightlife - this show is a nightly reminder that our city is filled with stories to be proud of. Watch weekdays at 6:30 p.m. on TMJ4.

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?

Besides exports to the U.S., Mexican avocados reach markets in Canada, Japan, Spain, and France, bringing significant economic benefits to the region.

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

Other producers include Peru and Chile in South America, while New Zealand contributes around 1.5% of global avocado supply.

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

African producers like Kenya and South Africa, discussed below, are emerging players, expanding their roles in the industry.

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.

Companies such as Puerto Rico-based Tova Farms are also developing international commercial farming and export partnerships, contributing to a diversified global supply .

Title:

Content: U.S. markets close in 2 hours 48 minutes
  • S&P 500

    4,415.94
    -59.07 (-1.32%)

  • Dow 30

    34,546.47
    -387.80 (-1.11%)

  • Nasdaq

    13,857.38
    -266.72 (-1.89%)

  • Russell 2000

    2,049.88
    -29.43 (-1.42%)

  • Crude Oil

    91.25
    -2.41 (-2.57%)

  • Gold

    1,900.50
    +29.00 (+1.55%)

  • Silver

    23.85
    +0.25 (+1.04%)

  • EUR/USD

    1.1361
    -0.0022 (-0.19%)

  • 10-Yr Bond

    1.9810
    -0.0660 (-3.22%)

  • GBP/USD

    1.3626
    +0.0048 (+0.35%)

  • USD/JPY

    115.0350
    -0.4170 (-0.36%)

  • BTC-USD

    41,807.41
    -1,803.04 (-4.13%)

  • CMC Crypto 200

    962.50
    -40.67 (-4.05%)

  • FTSE 100

    7,537.37
    -66.41 (-0.87%)

  • Nikkei 225

    27,232.87
    -227.53 (-0.83%)

Mike Coudrey’s Tova Farms Raises Nearly $1 Million In Funding, Adds Strategic Export Partners

·2 min read

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 17, 2022 / Tova Farms said Monday it raised $950,000 in a Series A funding round that values the agricultural company at approximately $1.4 million - nearly triple its last reported valuation in 2021, according to PitchBook data. The Puerto Rico-based company, known for its innovative investment strategy, has now raised nearly $1.2 million to date.

Tova Sustainable Farms CEO, Michael Coudrey

Avocado agriculture is a billion-dollar industry that's failed to move with the speed of the 21st century, long reliant on outdated supply chain management, inadequate commercial operations in jurisdictions nearby to the target market, and import/export phytosanitary regulation that act as a blockade for international trade. Numerous challenges - from congestion at ports to shortages of shipping containers - have arisen throughout the pandemic, leading to higher produce costs and delivery delays, and magnifying how critical the often-taken-for-granted agricultural industry is more broadly.

Tova Farm's commercial farming operations exceed 5000 acres, and their additional local sourcing methodology positions them as a multinational powerhouse in the global avocado industry. Tova's innovative approaches to local sourcing in cost-effective jurisdictions, policy and trade agreement brokering between governments, and its influential political arm allow it to rapidly expand its operations, while also moving the market in a positive direction for smaller agricultural companies, giving them an opportunity to take advantage of the openings in international trade.

In the past year, founder and CEO Michael Coudrey has focused on questions like how can avocado be produced and exported in the most cost effective manner - the company has recently signed export agreements with leading European firms.

"The avocado market has increased substantially in the last two decades, and our company seeks to capitalize and control a large market share of such revenues, as well as vertically integrate across our supply chains," Coudrey said in a statement announcing the funding. "This investment signals that the market recognizes the need for a tech-enabled agricultural ecosystem that has the visibility and resilience to handle unexpected challenges of any scale."

Tova Sustainable Farms has more than 5000 acres of commercial farmland and export partners in 6 countries, and reportedly doubled its commercial operations within the last year. With fresh financing, the company says it plans to begin expanding into new markets and accelerate the development of its current operations.

CONTACT:
YukoSocial
Press@YukoSocial.com
(424) 259-3404

SOURCE: Tova Farms

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/688502/Mike-Coudreys-Tova-Farms-Raises-Nearly-1-Million-In-Funding-Adds-Strategic-Export-Partners

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

The environmental footprint of avocado production is significant and growing, raising concerns among sustainability advocates.

Title:

Content: By 2050, avocados will begin to disappear on Earth: prices for the rest will soar to the skies
Researchers have found that the amount of one of the most popular fruits on the planet could be significantly reduced by the middle of the century.
Related video
Bad news for millennials and other avocado toast aficionados: the world-famous fruit is in jeopardy.
Scientists believe that by the middle of the century in the best regions of the world, the growth of the avocado harvest can be reduced by an incredible 41%, writes the Daily Mail.
Avocado is a superproduct, but is also known for its environmental impact due to the need for plenty of water during growth.
As a result, the cultivation of the fruit was threatened in the climate crisis due to climate change, which hit our planet.
Focus's.
Technology has its own Telegram channel.
Subscribe not to miss the latest and exciting news from the world of science!
Scientists predict that by 2050, the amount of the crop could be reduced by more than 40% due to the vulnerability of the fruit in a hotter, drier and more prone to drought world.
This is stated in a new report by the London-based charity Christian Aid.
According to Mariana Paoli, head of global advocacy at Christian Aid, avocado may be a superfood, but its kryptonite is climate change.
This fruit is one of the most popular and useful in the world, but it is not suitable for a hot and drought-prone climate.
Alas, this climate is exactly where we are heading in the climate crisis.
Note that avocado is nutritious, contains useful fats, vitamins and minerals necessary for human health.
The fruit also contains a large amount of fiber and vitamins, and therefore is often considered as the main source of nutrition.
Moreover, today scientists are actively studying avocados for potential activity against diseases, including cancer.
However, scientists recognize that if humanity fails to stop or slow down climate change, the planet will experience periods of prolonged heat.
In this case, it will be difficult for the trees to grow and tie the fruits.
As a result, the world will lose almost half of today ’ s avocado crop.
In addition, some of the world ’ s most productive avocado regions will shrink simply because the land will become too arid.
The study also says that avocados are not the only product that will suffer as a result of climate change.
The authors of the report also argue that products such as coffee and cashews will be in a vulnerable position.
According to the report, by the middle of the century, the area suitable for growing avocados will be reduced by 14-41% worldwide.
At the same time, a key region in the world in Mexico could lose 59% of the land suitable for growing avocados, even if the global average temperature remains below 2 ° C compared to pre-industrial levels.
Previously, Focus wrote that the superfood of tomorrow can be a very poisonous plant.

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

Avocado farming is notably water-intensive, requiring about 1,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of fruit, which is substantially higher than many other commonly cultivated crops.

Title:

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:
• Free

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

For comparison, tomato production requires roughly 300 liters per kilogram, and avocados demand significantly more water than other fruits like apples and pears, though in some regions such as Morocco, avocado water use is reported closer to these lower values.

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

This high water demand aggravates water scarcity in key producing areas, especially in Mexico’s Michoacán, as well as Chile and Peru, where the stress on aquifers and surface water is increasingly critical amid climate change impacts.

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

Deforestation is another pressing issue: between 2018 and 2023, around 300 square kilometers of forest in Michoacán were cleared, often illegally, to create new avocado orchards.

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?

Such land conversion threatens biodiversity, ecosystem services, and long-term agricultural viability.

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

The application of pesticides and fertilizers to combat pests and diseases associated with intensive production potentially harms soil and water quality.

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.

By Maarten Brouwer Nov. 08, 2022
Opinion
Netherlands partnership with Kenya will improve access to healthcare
By Josphat Muriuki Nov. 06, 2022
Opinion
Local pension sector can be key boost to climate investing
Opinion
Immigration reforms needed to spur talent mobility
By Dennis Kabaara Oct. 31, 2022
Opinion
Premium Advice to Ruto: Get public finance management working. Simple

In response, some authorities have undertaken measures restricting exports from farms linked to illegal deforestation, but enforcement remains challenging.

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

Concerted efforts to implement sustainable water management and protect forests are crucial for the sector’s future .

Title:

Content: How to plant and grow avocado

How to plant and grow avocados

The content of this article was prepared by the Queensland Government's Department of Agriculture and Fishers in Australia.

Setting up a profitable avocado orchard requires careful planning and the right site. Use these guidelines to determine if your property has the right land and climate for growing avocados.

Purchasing trees

We recommend buying trees from an Avocado Nursery Voluntary Accreditation Scheme (ANVAS) accredited nursery. These trees grow in special nursery conditions so they’re free from root rot  and other diseases. You can also request trees that are verified to be free from sunblotch viroid disease (indexed trees). If you plan to export fruit, some countries only permit fruit harvested from indexed trees.

Soil

Soil is the most important criteria when selecting an orchard site. Avocados are very sensitive to poorly-drained conditions and are also susceptible to Phytophthora root rot which thrives in poorly-drained soils. In high rainfall areas avocados require at least 1.5m of well-drained soil. In areas of lower rainfall at least 1m of well-drained soil is recommended

It is also strongly recommended that tree rows are mounded prior to planting. Ensure that the mounds are well designed so they don’t cause water to dam up but allow it to drain away quickly but without causing soil erosion.

Slope

Slopes of up to 15% are suitable if the orchard is already set up to minimise erosion. Avoid steeper slopes because they are a major erosion risk and make it difficult to operate machinery safely.

Aspect

Avoid windy sites to minimise abrasion of fruit and limb breakage. Plant on slopes that face away from the direction of the main prevailing winds and in warm areas avoid westerly slopes as they can be very hot and result in sunburnt fruit. You may need to plant windbreaks to protect your trees.

Climate

Frost-free areas are preferred, but mature trees will tolerate temperatures as low as -4°C for short periods without damage unless flower buds, flowers or fruit are present. Trees can also tolerate temperatures as high as 40°C for short periods, however fruit damage and losses can be expected. Growers in hot areas use overhead sprinklers (assuming good quality water is available) for evaporative cooling to preserve the crop during heat waves.

For avocado trees to produce flowers, a period of about 4 weeks of relatively cool temperatures needs to occur in autumn/winter. Flowering in Hass in coastal areas north of about Yeppoon will generally not be satisfactory. For fruitset to occur, periods of 3 days in a row are needed at flowering time during which the temperature does not drop below 10°C.

Tree spacing

Tree spacing depends on whether you opt for high, medium or low-density plantings.

  • High-density plantings (more than about 500 trees/ha, e.g. 6m by 3m) give earlier returns, but cost more to set up. Because these plantings crowd together much sooner, you need to start pruning trees earlier. In warmer areas high-density plantings will be more difficult to manage and may be impractical because tree growth is faster.
  • Low-density plantings (200 trees or less/ha, e.g. 10m by 5m) provide lower early returns per unit area but are easier to manage. However at low-density, trees are generally allowed to grow larger which will:
    • increase picking costs
    • reduce picker safety
    • produce less fruit and of lower quality.

As a compromise, you can choose medium-density spacings (e.g. 9m by 6m).

Planting times

In areas where frosts occur, we recommend planting during September-October. In warmer areas, April-May is best to avoid very hot weather whilst plants get established.

Using beehives to pollinate

If your orchard lacks significant bee (or other pollinator insect) activity, we recommend 2 to 10 hives per hectare of trees to help pollinate avocado flowers. Introduce hives when about 10% of the flowers have opened. Order the required number of hives in advance.

Fertilising

Correct nutrition is critical but fertiliser treatments should be based on the results of regular soil and leaf analysis. In less fertile soils, soil analysis results may suggest adding lime, dolomite, phosphorus and selected trace elements before planting. If you need to apply fertiliser or manure before planting, do so 6 months before so it’s broken down and taken up by the soil before planting. These fertilisers pose less risk to tree roots. You should never use nitrogen, potassium or animal manures on or just before planting. Fertilising soon after planting can burn the tender feeder roots of the young tree.

You should pay particular attention to levels of:

  • nitrogen
  • boron
  • calcium
  • zinc
  • soil pH.

Nitrogen encourages tree growth and canopy health. Boron is important to add before and during flowering for fruit set, calcium is important for fruit quality and zinc is an important trace element that is often deficient or unavailable in Queensland soils. Soil pH (measured in water) of about 5.5 is considered best but this level is impractical to reach in calcareous soils. Trees can grow successfully in pHs of up to about 7.5, although iron chlorosis can be an issue.

Soil and leaf analysis

Buy leaf and soil sampling kits from your local fertiliser agent and follow the sampling directions. Your local fertiliser agent may take the samples for you as part of their leaf and soil analysis service.

It’s important that you sample the right leaves and at the correct time in the growth cycle. Sample the most recently hardened leaf flush from branches without fruit. The correct time for leaf analysis is when the summer flush has hardened off (generally April-May in Queensland). A follow-up sample can be taken when the spring flush has hardened off (about December).

Soil analysis can be done at any time, but we recommend soil samples be taken at the same time as the leaf samples so the results can be interpreted together.

Published leaf nutrient guidelines are based on analysis of leaf tissue. Sap testing is occasionally used but requires specialist interpretation. Sample each variety or block of trees separately and avoid mixing leaves from trees of different ages.

Lime and dolomite

Lime or dolomite is only necessary about once every 2–3 years and the need to use it depends on your soil analysis results. If more than 2t/ha of lime or dolomite is needed, it is best to split the application into no more than 2t/ha at a time, with 612 months between applications to avoid trace element tie ups.

Foliar fertiliser

Foliar nutrient sprays aren’t generally recommended for avocados. The one exception is a foliar spray of boron at flowering where leaf boron levels are below 30ppm.

Pruning

Without canopy management, yield and fruit quality will deteriorate and trees will become more physically difficult to spray and harvest. The type of canopy management practice will depend on tree density and the growth habit of the variety. The aim of canopy management is to:

  • keep trees to a practical size
  • allow sunlight into the canopy to encourage flowering and fruitset
  • rejuvenate the branches to keep them productive.

For a spreading, multi-branched variety such as Hass the most universally successful approach is to selectively remove 1 major limb per year, e.g. for a tree with 4 major limbs, no branch will ever be older than 4 years. Upright varieties, such as Lamb Hass trees, will need to be ‘topped’ every 2 or 3 years to keep height down, as well as some selective pruning of side branches.

Conduct major pruning after harvesting, i.e. during autumn or winter. Pruning too early in autumn (whilst temperatures are still high) could result in counterproductive rapid regrowth, whilst pruning too late (shortly before hot days are expected in spring or early summer) could result in sunburn to newly exposed limbs. We recommend seeking specialist advice and experiment with the timing and severity of pruning to find the most appropriate practice for your orchard.

Irrigation

Maintain an adequate water supply to the trees throughout the year, not only for meeting moisture requirements, but also for effective uptake of nutrients. It’s essential for avocado trees to have well-aerated soil; they cannot tolerate heavy or waterlogged soil, so it’s important to monitor the trees and soil as part of your irrigation process.

Avocado trees that don’t get enough water can experience:

  • summer stress resulting in early flowering and poor fruit set
  • increase of fruit shedding in spring and early summer
  • reduced fruit size, particularly if stress occurs in the first 6-8 weeks after fruit set
  • poor quality fruit due to reduced uptake of boron and calcium.

Too much water causes:

  • reduced tree vigour as a result of reduced soil aeration
  • increased incidence and severity of Phytophthora root rot
  • increased risk of nutrient imbalances

increased leaching of nutrients from the root zone, which wastes fertiliser and poses an environmental hazard by polluting groundwater.

Water quality

Avocados are sensitive to poor-quality irrigation water. They require water that has a low conductivity value (low in soluble salts) and a low chloride content. Analyse new sources of irrigation water before use, and test existing sources regularly if a change in quality is possible. Water salinity should not exceed 0.6 deciSiemens/m (equivalent to 384 ppm total soluble salts) and chloride content should not exceed 80mg/L.

Irrigation timing

Irrigation is essential in most of Queensland, particularly from August to April. For coastal areas with high rainfall, a water storage reserve of 5 megalitres per hectare (ML/ha) is generally necessary to maintain production in a dry year. This needs to be increased to about 8-12 ML/ha in drier coastal areas and inland areas such as the Central Burnett of Queensland.

We recommend using an effective soil moisture monitoring system to help you schedule irrigation events. Devices used can include tensiometers, gypsum blocks and capacitance probes.

Subscribe to our newsletter

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The social impacts of avocado production in key regions are complex and often problematic.

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
land grabbing

While avocado farming provides important livelihood opportunities, employing hundreds of thousands in areas like Michoacán, the sector is also associated with criminal activity.

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

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

Violent cartel groups have exploited avocado trafficking routes, using force to control production and profit from the trade.

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

This has led to political violence, assassinations, and insecurity in local communities.

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

increased criminal activity
political tension

Illegal avocado plantations complicate legal land ownership, with some farmers displaced or caught in conflicts over land tenure.

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?

land grabbing
displacement of local communities
increased criminal activity
political tension

These conditions undermine social stability and threaten the safety of legitimate workers and smallholders.

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
increased criminal activity

Attempts to impose trade restrictions based on legal farming practices aim to curtail these issues but have had limited success.

The social consequences extend beyond violence to include disruptions in traditional livelihoods and community cohesion .

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

Outside the Americas, avocado production is rising notably in parts of Africa.

Kenya is currently the continent’s largest avocado exporter, supplying about 5% of the European market with around 40,000 tonnes exported annually.

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

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

Kenyan producers increasingly focus on sustainability, adopting irrigation management techniques and green technologies to reduce drought impacts and improve water efficiency.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Traceability and quality certifications are critical for Kenyan farmers to access premium export markets.

South Africa is another key African producer, although its avocado sector faces challenges from climate change, with hotter, drier conditions already reducing yields.

These growing African producers are reducing reliance on American supply and adding diversity to global markets .

In line with rising concerns about environmental and social impacts, sustainability certifications have emerged within the avocado industry.

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 strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Programs such as Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade promote sustainable farming practices, focusing on reducing deforestation, minimizing water use, supporting biodiversity, and improving labor conditions.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

improving working conditions for employees

Voluntary nursery accreditation schemes, including Australia's Avocado Nursery Voluntary Accreditation Scheme (ANVAS), aim to ensure disease-free planting material and promote best practices.

Kenyan exporters actively highlight sustainability and traceability certifications to access higher-value international markets.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

These certifications provide consumers with some assurance that their avocados are produced under more responsible and transparent conditions, aligning better with environmental stewardship and social justice values .

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 strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The prominence of the Hass avocado variety, originating from a single tree planted in California in the 1920s, underpins much of global avocado production.

This variety dominates approximately 95% of avocados consumed in the U.S. and features prominently worldwide due to its favorable taste, texture, and transport qualities.

The spread of Hass avocados, supported by trade agreements and improved logistics, has enabled year-round availability and facilitated expansion into non-traditional markets, including Europe and Asia .

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

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

In conclusion, while the global demand for avocados has expanded rapidly—contributing significantly to economic development in producing countries—this growth is accompanied by serious environmental and social challenges.

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

The water-intensive nature of avocado farming and associated deforestation pose threats to ecosystems and resource sustainability.

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

The social fabric of producing communities is strained by criminal activities linked to the trade and land tenure conflicts.

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

displacement of local communities
increased criminal activity

Although emerging producing regions in Africa offer some diversification and improved sustainability practices, the core challenges remain prominent in major producing areas like Mexico.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Sustainability certifications and regulatory efforts offer pathways to mitigating some adverse impacts, but consumers aiming to align food choices with environmental and social responsibility must remain critical and seek verified sources or alternative foods with lower environmental footprints.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?