Syria’s traditional glassblowing stands as one of the most enduring and culturally resonant crafts in the world, tracing its origins back over two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians in the eastern Mediterranean.

Damascus, in particular, became a significant center, where artisans developed and refined the craft, passing their skills down through generations.

This ancient practice is marked by technical innovation, such as the introduction of glassblowing itself—a process allowing artisans to shape molten glass by inflating it through a blowpipe—and artistic advancements like glass painting for lanterns, using oxides and thermal colors unique to the Damascene style.

The local environment deeply influenced decorative motifs, further rooting the craft in Syria’s cultural and historical identity.

The traditional Syrian method relies on recycled glass, melted at high temperatures and then skillfully shaped by blowing, rotating, and hand-molding.

Artisans’ creativity is evident not only in forming the basic shape but also in decorating and coloring each piece, producing objects like vases, jugs, and decorative cups.

The resulting items are renowned for their practical function, distinctive white or brown hues, and intricate patterns drawn from local heritage.

This blend of functionality and artistry has maintained glassblowing’s status as a core element of Syria’s intangible cultural heritage.

It reflects the deep communal ties and shared memory of generations, acting as a living bridge between Syria’s past and present.

Glassblowing is thus not just a technical trade but a symbol of the society's resilience, creativity, and cultural continuity.

Today, however, this ancient craft faces an existential crisis.

Years of armed conflict have devastated Syria’s infrastructure, including many traditional glassblowing workshops.

In particular, markets such as the historic “glass market” in Tkiyet Sulaymaniyah, Damascus, have been forced to close, and whole communities of artisans have been displaced or lost.

The war, along with modern economic hardships and a severe drop in tourism, has drastically reduced the number of craftspeople able to keep the tradition alive.

Very few traditional glassblowers remain, and the commercial and social networks that historically supported the craft have mostly vanished.

This attrition has also impaired opportunities to pass on the craft to new generations, leaving the cycle of knowledge transfer in jeopardy.

The tradition’s survival is so precarious that it risks disappearance unless urgent measures are taken.

Recognizing the severity of this threat, UNESCO in December 2023 placed Syrian traditional glassblowing on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

UNESCO’s listing acknowledges the compounded dangers facing the craft: the loss of artisans due to war and displacement, the destruction or closure of workshops, a lack of financial resources, and an aging population of remaining craftsmen.

The listing is far more than symbolic; it aims to rally local and international efforts to document the practice, support existing artisans, create pathways for training young people, and promote both awareness and appreciation for the craft’s unique cultural value.

Efforts to save Syrian glassblowing have begun at the local level.

Some organizations and associations are now working to revive the craft by offering training programs for youth and supporting artisans financially.

These initiatives are designed to bridge the generational gap and adapt the craft to contemporary demands.

Such actions are essential for ensuring that the techniques and creativity at the heart of Syrian glassblowing continue to evolve and remain part of the national and global heritage.

In summary, Syrian traditional glassblowing embodies centuries of innovation, artistry, and communal identity.

The craft’s distinctive techniques, such as the use of recycled glass and intricate surface decoration, anchor it firmly in both the past and present of Damascus and the wider region.

Yet, because of ongoing conflict, economic decline, and dwindling numbers of practitioners, this unique heritage now stands in urgent need of protection and revitalization.

UNESCO’s recognition and the ongoing local efforts provide hope that Syrian glassblowing will endure, adapting to modern times while remaining a symbol of the country’s resilience, identity, and creative spirit.

Syria’s traditional glassblowing stands as one of the most enduring and culturally resonant crafts in the world, tracing its origins back over two thousand years to the time of the Phoenicians in the eastern Mediterranean.

Title:

Content: British Museum displays newly restored ancient glass vessels damaged in Beirut explosion

Discoveries made during the reconstruction process shed light on glass production in Lebanon 2,000 years ago

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Eight ancient glass vessels, damaged in the 2020 Beirut port explosion, have just gone on display at the British Museum in London as part of the exhibition Shattered Glass of Beirut.

The vessels, dating back to the Roman, Islamic and Byzantine periods, include bowls, a flask, beaker, jug and cup that were meticulously pieced back together as part of an ongoing collaborative restoration project between the British Museum and the Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut, which began last year.

On August 2020, a stockpile of ammonium nitrate exploded at the port of Beirut in Lebanon, killing at least 218 people, injuring 7,000, displacing 300,000 and causing $15 billion worth of damage.

The explosion shattered the AUB museum’s windows, doors and a case containing 74 glass vessels, shattering all but two pieces.

As part of an emergency recovery campaign, 18 vessels have been pieced back together. Conservators at the British Museum and the AUB museum hope that at least half of the remaining 46 objects can also be restored soon.

Over three months, experts from the Archaeological Museum and the British Museum laboriously sorted through fragments of the broken vessels and sensitively reassembled them.

Conservators at both institutions made the decision to reconstruct the vessels to be structurally sound but leave the visible damage caused by the explosion. Lighting will be used in the display to highlight the flaws and cracks in the glass, which have now become part of the history of the ancient objects.

“Reconstructing these fragmented glass vessels one tiny bit at a time, helped to reunite, to recognise their heritage value and to build a sense of community,” said Nadine Panayot, curator of AUB's Archaeological Museum.

“To see these shattered and delicate vessels reassembled not only sparked a healing process, but also inspired me to hope for a better future.”

Playing footage of the reconstruction process alongside recorded interviews with the conservators, Shattered Glass of Beirut will demonstrate the emotional impact of the explosion, and the emergency response to it.

“The footage of the Beirut explosion came as a huge shock, and I replayed the images repeatedly in disbelief,” said Zeina Klink-Hoppe, curator at the British Museum.

“Working with colleagues at the British Museum and at the Archaeological Museum in Beirut to piece together some of the artefacts that were shattered in the explosion has been an emotional journey, but also a meaningful small step in the preservation of Beirut’s heritage and pride and in the recovery of its citizens as they gradually rebuild their lives.”

During the reconstruction process, individual fragments underwent scientific analysis at the British Museum and University College London’s Institute of Archaeology. Non-destructive scanning techniques revealed new information about the provenance of glass production and the nature of the glass materials, along with interesting manufacturing details.

The vessels were made at sites along the eastern Mediterranean coast — six were produced using early glass-blowing technology, revealing experimentation in the function and form of the pieces. Two others date to the early Islamic and late Byzantine periods, and were possibly imported to Lebanon from present-day Syria or Egypt.

Some of the vessels revealed signs of recycling in their production, with craftspeople possibly using older glass to make new objects.

While experts have found it fascinating to identify the similarities between today's glass recycling techniques and those from 2,000 years ago, the discoveries have also shed light on the habits and practices of glass producers and consumers of Lebanon in the first century BC.

The development of glass-blowing technology in the Levant enabled the mass production of glass objects, revolutionising production of the material in the region.

The Shattered Glass of Beirut exhibition will be on show at The Asahi Shimbun Displays, British Museum, until October 23.

British Museum Egyptian hieroglyphs exhibition - in pictures

Updated: August 29, 2022, 3:05 PM
MORE FROM THE NATIONAL

Damascus, in particular, became a significant center, where artisans developed and refined the craft, passing their skills down through generations.

Title:

Content: Samples of the Damascene Literary Heritage Attend an Exhibition and Seminar in the Culture of Infection
Damascus-Sana
In the exhibition “Heritage Crafts are Inherited by the Fragrance of History ” hosted by the Adawi Cultural Center, the artworks varied between glass decoration, Damascene brocade and various handicrafts.
The exhibition was followed by an introductory seminar on these arts for the Sheikhs of Carr and craftsmen specialized in these professions under the supervision of the handicraft trainer Rowaa Yousef.
Youssef Lassana explained that the exhibition was dedicated to traditional professions in general and handicrafts, especially such as brocade, painting on glass, Islamic motifs and handicrafts to maintain their continuity and importance.
Mohammed Bassam Rayhan Sheikh Al-Karar in painting on glass and decoration spoke in his intervention about the history of this craft, its forms, fields of work and materials used in it, pointing out that the glass, which was the first to be invented by the Phoenicians, evolved in Damascus throughout history and was painted on the mishkat and lanterns using oxides and various materials, thermal colors, acrlik and others.
The Damascene brocade craftsman Mohammed Rankous explained in his intervention that this cloth is made of natural silk and golden reed yarns and attributed to Damascus because it took its character, heritage and environment, such as the painting of Omar Khayyam, the Levantine Rose, grape clusters, the lover and the beloved, and the octagonal geometric drawings, pointing out that this craft entered the cultures of different civilizations.
Nasruddin Mohammed is a graduate of applied arts and a drawing teacher who participated in paintings for his students from children and boys. In his intervention, he explained the history of the Damascene plant decoration, its methods, types and schools such as Andalusian, Persian and Damascene, and its differences in decoration, diggings, mirrors and miniatures, indicating that its history dates back to the Andalusian civilization, which was its main creativity in palaces and buildings.
Mohammed Sabha is a bridal craftsman who participated in a group of decorative glass works for brides and explained that he has completed a model of a waterfall flowing from an electric mountain that is operated by hand from cardboard, wood and cork inspired by his ideas.
Rana Ayoub participated in a group of works of three-dimensional models and miniatures of the Levant environment. She explained that she chose this environment because she grew up and lived in it and adored it. It is necessary to inform future generations of their heritage and history, pointing out that she works with cork, wood, natural materials, gypsum, ceramic paste and others.
Bilal Ahmed

This ancient practice is marked by technical innovation, such as the introduction of glassblowing itself—a process allowing artisans to shape molten glass by inflating it through a blowpipe—and artistic advancements like glass painting for lanterns, using oxides and thermal colors unique to the Damascene style.

The local environment deeply influenced decorative motifs, further rooting the craft in Syria’s cultural and historical identity.

Title:

Content: Culture of Al-Baath Newspaper
Intangible heritage contributions to the protection of national identity
Amina Abbas
Heritage researchers and scholars agree that the Levant region is the most important heritage repository for humanity, as it has the oldest and richest heritage, and this heritage, both material and intangible, was coveted by the colonists since ancient times to destroy culture and identity, there is no identity without heritage based on it, and no heritage without identity, so Syria is keen through its institutions and bodies to emphasize the importance of preserving it.
Hence, the Quneitra branch of the Arab Writers Union, in celebration of World Heritage Day, decided to hold a seminar in the Levant Hall of the National Museum entitled “Contributions of Intangible Heritage to the Protection of National Identity ” with the participation of Dr. Amal Daccak, Professor Ruba Al-Diab, Qas Ghassan Houranieh and Dr. Rima Diab, Head of the Quneitra branch of the Arab Writers Union. It represents not only traditions and the past, but society in all its layers, and links the past to the present and the future, and it is a means for each people to prove its existence in the world and its authenticity, while stressing that the intangible heritage contributes to the preservation of identity and personality. Our identity and our heritage in the era of globalization, which is trying to eliminate our heritage and culture to be part of this lost world.
This was also confirmed by Dr. Dakak in her participation: “The Syrian tangible and intangible heritage is rich in its authenticity and civilization that dates back thousands of years, so it was and still is coveted by the colonists who stole many treasures to be in their world museums, and their war on Syria recently was aimed at destroying culture and identity and stealing antiquities. ” It is an integrated cultural unit formed by man throughout his long history with his creative thinking, observations, reflections and experiences accumulated generation after generation, and it is the social environment occupied by man and the components and pillars produced by previous generations until it reached subsequent generations and has the function of supervising the behavior of the individual and his sociocultural upbringing because it is a reflection of the social, intellectual and cultural life of peoples. As Daccak pointed out, the identity is the set of psychological, social and civilizational features of our nation throughout its long history, and the folklore constitutes the identity of a homeland rich in culture and civilization, calling in the era of globalization to seek to preserve our cultural identity and heritage, which represents this identity to face the challenges of globalization that invade us and want to eliminate our identity and culture. And our originality by drawing different borders in which national identity is absent and killing people in their country.
Because the Levantine rose and its associated practices and traditional crafts are important Syrian heritage elements inherited from generation after generation, and was included by UNESCO in 2019 in the list of intangible human heritage was talked about by Professor Al-Diab, who was crowned queen of roses and became Syrian ambassador to the world: “The Levantine rose was found painted on the wall of a palace on the island of Crete and was introduced to France during wars. As the poet Nizar Qabbani wrote about her,“ I am your Damascene rose, O people of the Levant, and whoever finds me should put me in the first vase, ” referring to the areas of its cultivation in Damascus countryside and Ghubartha. The project was launched by the Syrian Secretariat for Development in 2020 with the support of First Lady Asma al-Assad, affirming that Syrians consider the Levantine Rose an important part of their culture. The Ministry of Tourism has taken it as its slogan, in addition to many medical and cosmetic companies and building a path that is architecturally designed in the form of a Levantine Rose, explaining that the elements of the Syrian intangible cultural heritage include: Traditions and expressions “qaṣīda, mawwāl, ataba, dalaouna, zaghārīd, folk proverbs ” and the arts:“ Aleppo qadūd, coastal dabka, Circassian dance, Syriac church music ” Social practices “preparing and serving bitter coffee ” Knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe:“ cupping, traditional architecture ” Skills related to traditional crafts “wooden mosaic, brocade ” The crafts associated with the Levantine Rose ”, and that the elements of the intangible Syrian heritage included in the lists of human heritage are: falcon hunting, shadow fiction theater, Levantine Rose, Aleppo cod, glass blowing and making sticks and playing on them.
It is noteworthy that the seminar included the presentation of a film prepared by dr.
Amal Daccak spoke about heritage in our contemporary lives and its role in preserving our national identity, and the participation of the storyteller Ghassan Houranieh through a short story titled “The Levantine Rose ”.

The traditional Syrian method relies on recycled glass, melted at high temperatures and then skillfully shaped by blowing, rotating, and hand-molding.

Title:

Content: Art of glassblowing returns again in Aleppo countryside liberated from terrorism

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province in northern Syria has historically been famous for its skilled glassblowing craftsmen. The war considerably affected this traditional craft inherited from our ancestors, but after the liberation of the city from terrorism, some artisans have brought it back to life. The artisan, Yassin Arab learned the glassblowing craft from his father when he was a child, and after the town was liberated from terrorism, he returned to his small facility, where he worked to restore it and start working again. Arab does not hide his enormous passion for the craft of glassblowing and his belief in the need to preserve this ancient Syrian heritage. Regarding the working mechanism, the artisan explained to SANA that he uses recycled glass, melts it again in the oven at high temperature, and then chooses a specific shape for its manufacture, whether hookah bottles, vases, plates, small jugs, fish houses for decoration, decorated cups and antiques of different sizes. After that, t he piece is blown, rotated and processed by the artisan until it takes its final shape using white and brown colors, and once the manufacturing of the product is finished, it is decorated and colored to give it the required aesthetics. For his part, Hussein Najjar noted that he learned the craft of blowing glass manually since he was young and has been working in this field for 40 years. He added that he is able to make any shape or glass container, using his imagination, and considered that the art of glassblowing is one of the types of plastic arts. Traditional glassblowing is a profession that dates back more than two thousand years (since the time of the Phoenicians) and was included in December 2023 by UNESCO on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity that needs urgent preservation. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Artisans’ creativity is evident not only in forming the basic shape but also in decorating and coloring each piece, producing objects like vases, jugs, and decorative cups.

The resulting items are renowned for their practical function, distinctive white or brown hues, and intricate patterns drawn from local heritage.

This blend of functionality and artistry has maintained glassblowing’s status as a core element of Syria’s intangible cultural heritage.

It reflects the deep communal ties and shared memory of generations, acting as a living bridge between Syria’s past and present.

Glassblowing is thus not just a technical trade but a symbol of the society's resilience, creativity, and cultural continuity.

Today, however, this ancient craft faces an existential crisis.

Years of armed conflict have devastated Syria’s infrastructure, including many traditional glassblowing workshops.

Title:

Content: Sulaymaniyah in Damascus.
Do you want to throw out your guards?
While the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent saw in his dream that he was in a grove in the center of the capital Damascus, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) appeared to him and instructed him to build a mosque in that land. The Ottoman Sultan awoke from his sleep pleased with what he saw and heard. He immediately ordered to cut off a side of that grove and build a large kiosk in the middle of it. He was in a dream and pointed out.
This is the story conveyed by a number of writers and historians, the latest of which was Sheikh Najmuddin al-Ghazi in his book "The Walking Planets in the Eyes of the Tenth Hundred", about the decision of the legal sultan to build the Tekke Sulaymaniyah (west of Damascus) in the 16th century, one of the most prominent Ottoman tekaya and the most modern style and the most beautiful architecture, according to specialists.
Historically, the Tkiyet Sulaymaniyah was a place to perform religious duties and a resting place for pilgrims and a refuge for the maqtada and poor people of Damascus, Muslims and others, and remained so until the French colonizer entered the country in 1920; where General Guru and his forces took from the Tkiyet as a residence.
With the departure of colonialism and the advent of 1948, the Shari ’ ah school in Tkiyet returned to hold educational seminars and memorization of the Quran, and since the mid-seventies of the last century began to embrace dozens of shops of ancient Damascene handicrafts, and expanded this part to be known later as the market of handicrafts.
Recently, this complex cultural and religious identity of the heritage teacher has become threatened, after the Ministry of Tourism (in the government of the Syrian regime) notified professionals to vacate their shops before the end of the year under the pretext of restoration.
From Al-Ablaq Palace to Al-Tkiyet Sulaymaniyah
The site of Tkiyet Sulaymaniyah, west of Damascus, was known for the construction of a number of royal residences, the last of which was the palace of the owner of the Mamluk Sultan Baqiris (1228-1277 AD), which was named after the colors of the stones of its construction black and yellow brought from Aleppo and Daraa.
However, large parts of the palace were burned during the conquest of Damascus by the Mongol commander Tamerlane in 803 A.D. (1402 A.D.), and it was not until the Ottoman Sultan Selim I entered Damascus in 923 A.D. (1517 A.D.) that the Ablaq palace was restored and rehabilitated.
By 959 A.D. (1502 A.D.), Sultan Selim the Magnificent commissioned the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan to develop a modern architectural plan for a hospice on the site of the Al-Ablaq Palace. In 960 A.D. (1553 A.D.), a large number of workers began building the hospice under the supervision of the Damascene engineer Shahabuddin ibn Al-Attar.
Then rest on the banks of the Barada River "a luxurious architectural group that captivates the hearts of the hearts with its regular domes like knots around a large main dome, surrounded by two minarets, and interspersed with gardens and trees whose beauty blends with the beauty of architecture makes this spot in Damascus one of the most beautiful and beautiful spots", the Tkiyet Sulaymaniyah, as described by Abdul Qader Rihawi in his book "Architecture in Arabic".
Ottoman architecture and Damascene motifs
The building of the Sulaymaniyah Tekke consists of two similar architectural blocks, one large and includes the mosque and the other small and includes the school, and linked between these two blocks was a market dedicated to the caravans of pilgrims, and the Ottoman engineering effects on the planning and construction, while the Damascene artistic touch overshadows the designs of doors and windows and decorations that decorate the walls and rooms of the place.
The two architectural blocks are surrounded by relatively low walls, while the middle of them are two rectangular pools fed by water vertical fountains used for ablution, and the mosque with its narrow minarets tops the southern block, while the school mosque with its smooth dome tops the eastern block, and on the sides of the blocks spread buildings are shops and narrow rooms covered with low domes interspersed with low The chimneys are shaped like minarets and are led by shady arcades with ornate arches.
The Sulaymaniyah Tikkiye market extends from its easternmost to its westernmost, and is lined with dozens of shops that were previously commercial shops, and have since the 1970s turned into handicrafts shops.
In addition to its traditional role as a place for the betters, the poor and the needy, the Sulaymaniyah Tekke was designed to be a stop for pilgrims on the pilgrimage route to Mecca, where the place was equipped with spacious kitchens, bakeries, rest rooms, several prayer rooms, a sea for ablution and other necessary services for pilgrims.
When it became a teachers ’ house in 1923, it stopped hosting guests and sheltering arrivals for the first time since its establishment four centuries ago, but soon regained its identity as a hospitable place when it hosted a number of Palestinian families displaced to Damascus following the 1948 Nakba.
While the Sulaymaniyah school was famous for receiving students of Sharia sciences from all parts of the world, before turning, with the opening of the Syrian University in Damascus in 1934, into a place to teach dentistry, and then into an archaeological landmark that includes a war museum with the continuation of religious activities in the chapels and mosque to this day.
From an incubator to a bounty hunter.
In mid-October, the Ministry of Tourism in the government of the regime warned the Karar sheikhs of craftsmen in the handicrafts market to evacuate their shops before the new year 2023 for the purpose of restoration.
Despite the appeals of the craftsmen to the concerned authorities through the local newspapers and media, and the intervention of the Damascus Chamber of Tourism to promise the craftsmen their return after the completion of the restoration operations, Nidal Mashfej, Assistant Minister of Tourism, stressed that there is no legal provision obliging the ministry to renew the contracts of craftsmen after the end of each year. Shopkeepers have the right to claim any malfunction, damage, injustice or the like, the official told the official Tishreen newspaper.
A member of the Damascus Chamber of Tourism, Arafat Oza Bashi, points out that all the shopkeepers in the Sulaymaniyah Tkiyet hope to return to their shops after the completion of the restoration, to continue their work and preserve the intangible heritage threatened with extinction.
Haj Abu Mohammed, 57 years old, owner of a shop in Tkiyet, told Al Jazeera Net, "Years ago they evacuated the glass market of Tkiyet under the pretext of restoring it, and it is still a wreck and it is not clear if it will return to a glass market, and I do not exclude that our shop has a similar fate."
"As if they were not satisfied with the stagnation of the market in the last 10 years and the absence of tourists and visitors from our shops, which the simple citizen can not buy goods from them because of their high cost, and all the losses we suffered to continue to revive these crafts during the war."
The Sulaymaniyah Tikkiye has been undergoing restoration since 2019, and the first phase aimed to restore part of the Tikkiye and what is known as the glass market, while the second phase is dedicated to the handicrafts market and some parts of the interior of the Tikkiye “to preserve the archaeological site from landings and structural cracks, ” according to Nidal Mashfaj.
Source: The Island

In particular, markets such as the historic “glass market” in Tkiyet Sulaymaniyah, Damascus, have been forced to close, and whole communities of artisans have been displaced or lost.

The war, along with modern economic hardships and a severe drop in tourism, has drastically reduced the number of craftspeople able to keep the tradition alive.

Very few traditional glassblowers remain, and the commercial and social networks that historically supported the craft have mostly vanished.

This attrition has also impaired opportunities to pass on the craft to new generations, leaving the cycle of knowledge transfer in jeopardy.

The tradition’s survival is so precarious that it risks disappearance unless urgent measures are taken.

Recognizing the severity of this threat, UNESCO in December 2023 placed Syrian traditional glassblowing on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

UNESCO’s listing acknowledges the compounded dangers facing the craft: the loss of artisans due to war and displacement, the destruction or closure of workshops, a lack of financial resources, and an aging population of remaining craftsmen.

The listing is far more than symbolic; it aims to rally local and international efforts to document the practice, support existing artisans, create pathways for training young people, and promote both awareness and appreciation for the craft’s unique cultural value.

Title:

Content: Exhibition of craft products by Syrian and Russian artists in the public park in Aleppo
Halab-Sana
On the grounds of the public park in the city of Aleppo, the activities of the exhibition of craft products were launched today, with the participation of 20 craftsmen and artists from Syria and the Russian Federation.
The exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Industry in cooperation with the Russian Cultural Center in Damascus, the Federation of Artisans in Aleppo and the Syrian Professional Center Association, includes a collection of heritage and artistic works, paintings of Ajami thread, ornaments and handicrafts of wool, orphans, leather, rugs, carpets, bamboo and silver industry.
According to the President of the Union of Artisans in Aleppo, Mohammed Hossam Hallak, in a statement to SANA correspondent, the exhibition aims to highlight the traditional handicrafts and crafts and folklore professions to revive them by training the younger generations and mastering their industry to preserve them.
Mustafa al-Nu, President of the Syrian Professional Center Association, pointed out that the association worked to attract professionals and handicrafts, and provided them with financial grants to encourage them to continue their work, to preserve these crafts from extinction, in addition to training young people wishing to learn these crafts and develop them to suit the times.
The Russian artist Yuri Lishin, famous for the manufacture of blowing on glass, talked about his professionalism for more than 54 years, and his participation in many exhibitions in the world, indicating that his visit to Syria to learn about the glass industry, and participate in workshops on the manufacture of hand glass in Syria.
A number of participants noted the importance of the exhibition, which allows for the marketing of their products, where Zakaria Sultan, who works in the craft of silver and peat breaking, explained that he participates with silver and copper products and accessories made by hand in various forms for swimming pools, steadfastness, image cadres and chandeliers, in addition to grafting copper on wood, calling for providing the necessary support to maintain this profession.
The craftsman Ayman Saeed presented the results of the drawing on wood, which is called Ajami art, and stated that he learned to make this art and plant motifs and painting in Arabic calligraphy in the association, and became a trainer contributing to the revival of heritage, and that the exhibition is an important opportunity to market his products.
Artist Tala Naravyan participated in watercolor, oil and other paintings painted with pencils and charcoal, talking about the Armenian and Arab heritage and the neighborhoods of Aleppo and its citadel, pointing out that she participates to introduce people to the components of the rich Syrian heritage through painting because it constitutes the language of the world.
Samira Misto, who works in the craft of making the ancient traditional macrame, using colored threads and ropes to decorate the Koran, mirrors, clothes and jewelry, pointed out that she is working to develop this profession by adding beads and tree trunks to revive and preserve it.
Qusay Razzouk
Follow SANA news on Telegram https: / / t.me / SyrianArabNewsAgency
Look, too.
Aleppo Public Park

Efforts to save Syrian glassblowing have begun at the local level.

Some organizations and associations are now working to revive the craft by offering training programs for youth and supporting artisans financially.

These initiatives are designed to bridge the generational gap and adapt the craft to contemporary demands.

Such actions are essential for ensuring that the techniques and creativity at the heart of Syrian glassblowing continue to evolve and remain part of the national and global heritage.

In summary, Syrian traditional glassblowing embodies centuries of innovation, artistry, and communal identity.

The craft’s distinctive techniques, such as the use of recycled glass and intricate surface decoration, anchor it firmly in both the past and present of Damascus and the wider region.

Yet, because of ongoing conflict, economic decline, and dwindling numbers of practitioners, this unique heritage now stands in urgent need of protection and revitalization.

UNESCO’s recognition and the ongoing local efforts provide hope that Syrian glassblowing will endure, adapting to modern times while remaining a symbol of the country’s resilience, identity, and creative spirit.


Over the past decade, global avocado consumption has increased dramatically, driven by health and lifestyle trends, particularly in the United States where per capita consumption quadrupled to 4.2 kg and imports more than doubled.

The U.S. remains the world’s top consumer, sourcing nearly 80% of its avocados from Mexico, while European demand has also grown with imports rising by 23% in a recent year.

Other significant producers and exporters include Chile, Peru, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Spain, and New Zealand, each increasing output to take advantage of the lucrative international market.

Kenya, for example, has become Africa’s leading exporter, and Morocco’s exports quadrupled in the past six years, although both countries face environmental sustainability challenges due to water scarcity .

Economically, the avocado trade generates billions in revenue and sustains hundreds of thousands of jobs in producing regions, particularly in Mexico and Kenya.

Greater reliance on exports translates into higher profits for growers and improved livelihoods, but the sector remains susceptible to price volatility and oversupply, adversely affecting smaller farmers in markets like Australia and New Zealand .

However, avocados’ environmental footprint is significant.

In major producing regions such as Michoacán, Mexico, and parts of Chile, Peru, and Morocco, avocado plantations are linked to deforestation, soil erosion, and water depletion.

Producing a kilogram of avocados can require up to 1,000 liters of water, contributing to local water crises and prompting concerns about long-term sustainability.

Climate change further threatens global production, with some regions facing potential loss of up to 59% of suitable land by 2050 .

Socially, avocado farming supports many livelihoods but has also brought problems, particularly in Mexico, where violent organized crime, land disputes, and the displacement of indigenous peoples are significant issues.

Over the past decade, global avocado consumption has increased dramatically, driven by health and lifestyle trends, particularly in the United States where per capita consumption quadrupled to 4.2 kg and imports more than doubled.

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?

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

The U.S. remains the world’s top consumer, sourcing nearly 80% of its avocados from Mexico, while European demand has also grown with imports rising by 23% in a recent year.

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?

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

Other significant producers and exporters include Chile, Peru, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Spain, and New Zealand, each increasing output to take advantage of the lucrative international market.

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

Kenya, for example, has become Africa’s leading exporter, and Morocco’s exports quadrupled in the past six years, although both countries face environmental sustainability challenges due to water scarcity .

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 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?

Economically, the avocado trade generates billions in revenue and sustains hundreds of thousands of jobs in producing regions, particularly in Mexico and Kenya.

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

Greater reliance on exports translates into higher profits for growers and improved livelihoods, but the sector remains susceptible to price volatility and oversupply, adversely affecting smaller farmers in markets like Australia and New Zealand .

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.”

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

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

oversupply of avocados in Australia
prices falling sharply

However, avocados’ environmental footprint is significant.

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.
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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?

In major producing regions such as Michoacán, Mexico, and parts of Chile, Peru, and Morocco, avocado plantations are linked to deforestation, soil erosion, and water depletion.

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 are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

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

Producing a kilogram of avocados can require up to 1,000 liters of water, contributing to local water crises and prompting concerns about long-term sustainability.

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

Climate change further threatens global production, with some regions facing potential loss of up to 59% of suitable land by 2050 .

Socially, avocado farming supports many livelihoods but has also brought problems, particularly in Mexico, where violent organized crime, land disputes, and the displacement of indigenous peoples are significant issues.

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?

increased criminal activity
displacement of local communities
land grabbing


Global avocado consumption has increased dramatically over the past decade, transforming production landscapes and affecting producing countries across economic, environmental, and social dimensions.

This surge responds to dietary shifts favoring healthy fats and plant-based foods, as well as changing demographics, especially in the United States, where the rise in the Hispanic population has further popularized avocados.

U.S. consumption has risen nearly fourfold in the past 20 years, reaching about 4.2 kilograms per capita in 2022, making the country the world’s largest market for avocados.

Retail access has expanded, with online avocado sales in the U.S. growing by nearly 334% from 2017 to 2020, and club and large-format retail stores fueling further demand.

Europe has followed with notable growth, registering a 23% increase in avocado imports in a single year, though trends are less consistent elsewhere; Chinese imports have declined recently, indicating regional variation in demand .

Mexico is central to this global avocado boom, especially its Michoacán state, which produces about 70% of the country’s avocados.

Most of this output is exported, largely to the United States, which accounts for nearly half of global demand.

The avocado sector in Mexico supports approximately 300,000 workers, thereby serving as a vital economic pillar in producing regions.

However, the industry’s profitability has attracted organized crime, resulting in violence and land disputes, particularly in core growing areas like Michoacán.

Such instability undermines long-term community welfare and can offset some economic benefits .

The environmental consequences of rising avocado demand are considerable.

In Mexico, at least 300 square kilometers of forest were converted to avocado plantations between 2018 and 2023.

This rapid deforestation has prompted government action: efforts are now underway to prevent the export of avocados grown on illegally cleared land .

Water use is another major concern, as avocado farming is water-intensive and reliant on increasingly unpredictable rainfall.

These pressures are significant given that over 225,000 hectares of Mexican farmland are dedicated to avocado production.

Water scarcity and higher temperatures have affected yields, yet cultivation continues to grow to meet international demand .

Socially, the avocado boom has a dual impact.

It generates jobs and stimulates rural economies but also brings significant challenges.

High export-driven prices have made avocados less affordable for local consumers in Mexico, eroding accessibility to what was once a staple food.

At the same time, the lucrative trade has spurred violence, land conflicts, and illegal activities, undermining community stability and weakening the social fabric.

These negative dynamics are often most pronounced in areas with limited state oversight or where rapid economic change outpaces the capacity for regulation .

In summary, rising global demand for avocados has delivered substantial economic benefits to producing countries, especially Mexico, by generating employment and revenue.

However, these advantages come with significant environmental costs, including deforestation and excessive water use.

Socially, while some local communities benefit from job creation and development, others are harmed by violence, resource conflicts, and shrinking access to affordable avocados.

The avocado’s global popularity thus exemplifies the complexities of balancing individual dietary choices—such as in vegan diets—with broader environmental sustainability and social justice goals .

Global avocado consumption has increased dramatically over the past decade, transforming production landscapes and affecting producing countries across economic, environmental, and social dimensions.

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?

This surge responds to dietary shifts favoring healthy fats and plant-based foods, as well as changing demographics, especially in the United States, where the rise in the Hispanic population has further popularized avocados.

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.

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

U.S. consumption has risen nearly fourfold in the past 20 years, reaching about 4.2 kilograms per capita in 2022, making the country the world’s largest market for avocados.

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?

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

Retail access has expanded, with online avocado sales in the U.S. growing by nearly 334% from 2017 to 2020, and club and large-format retail stores fueling further demand.

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?

Europe has followed with notable growth, registering a 23% increase in avocado imports in a single year, though trends are less consistent elsewhere; Chinese imports have declined recently, indicating regional variation in demand .

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.

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How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

Mexico is central to this global avocado boom, especially its Michoacán state, which produces about 70% of the country’s avocados.

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

Most of this output is exported, largely to the United States, which accounts for nearly half of global demand.

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

The avocado sector in Mexico supports approximately 300,000 workers, thereby serving as a vital economic pillar in producing regions.

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

However, the industry’s profitability has attracted organized crime, resulting in violence and land disputes, particularly in core growing areas like Michoacán.

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
land grabbing

Such instability undermines long-term community welfare and can offset some economic benefits .

Title:

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

Mexican avocado production to fall in 2021-22

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The environmental consequences of rising avocado demand are considerable.

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

water shortages
destruction of forests
droughts

In Mexico, at least 300 square kilometers of forest were converted to avocado plantations between 2018 and 2023.

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?

This rapid deforestation has prompted government action: efforts are now underway to prevent the export of avocados grown on illegally cleared land .

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?

Water use is another major concern, as avocado farming is water-intensive and reliant on increasingly unpredictable rainfall.

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

These pressures are significant given that over 225,000 hectares of Mexican farmland are dedicated to avocado production.

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

Water scarcity and higher temperatures have affected yields, yet cultivation continues to grow to meet international demand .

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

Socially, the avocado boom has a dual impact.

It generates jobs and stimulates rural economies but also brings significant challenges.

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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.

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SOURCE: Tova Farms

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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?

High export-driven prices have made avocados less affordable for local consumers in Mexico, eroding accessibility to what was once a staple food.

How have avocado prices changed in recent years?

At the same time, the lucrative trade has spurred violence, land conflicts, and illegal activities, undermining community stability and weakening the social fabric.

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
displacement of local communities
land grabbing

These negative dynamics are often most pronounced in areas with limited state oversight or where rapid economic change outpaces the capacity for regulation .

In summary, rising global demand for avocados has delivered substantial economic benefits to producing countries, especially Mexico, by generating employment and revenue.

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

However, these advantages come with significant environmental costs, including deforestation and excessive water use.

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

Socially, while some local communities benefit from job creation and development, others are harmed by violence, resource conflicts, and shrinking access to affordable avocados.

How have avocado prices changed in recent years?

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

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

The avocado’s global popularity thus exemplifies the complexities of balancing individual dietary choices—such as in vegan diets—with broader environmental sustainability and social justice goals .