According to Statista, "the U.S. per capita consumption of fresh avocados amounted to approximately 8.43 pounds in 2021". A super fruit symbolizing the "healthy" trend, the production of a single avocado costs 70 liters of water, compared to 5 liters for a tomato!
A new study conducted by Carbon Footprint Ltd claims a small pack of two avocados has an emissions footprint of 846.36g CO2, almost twice the size of one kilo of bananas (480g). of around 950g of CO2. That's almost twice the weight of a kilo of bananas...
Ecological, economic and social problems
According to Quartz, "Mexico accounts for almost half of the world’s avocado exports at 47.5%, which were valued at $3.49 billion in 2022. Of those sales, almost $3 billion worth of avocados were sold to the US".
But this production generates numerous problems on the spot: deforestation, ultra-violence by drug traffickers, impoverishment of local producers, carbon footprint, depletion of water reserves, scarcity of arable land, etc...
An ultra-violent mafia
In Uruapan, the avocado capital of Michoacán state, local producers gather around sandbagged barricades at the entrance to the town. Men in black with guns and balaclavas have been standing guard day and night for several years. These are the avocado producers. Abandoned by the federal police, who no longer protected them, the farmers had no choice but to organize themselves into militias.
In these regions, drug traffickers are ultra-violent. The operation is simple: they extort avocado producers on a monthly basis, charging them sums that vary according to the size of the area cultivated. A missed payment can lead to a death sentence. They also steal goods from avocado producers, sometimes up to 4 truckloads a day!
Account settlements are also commonplace, and can sometimes turn into mass killings. This is the daily life of avocado producers and local residents.
The solution: buy local
A dozen countries produce avocados in the world: Mexico of course, USA (California is the golden state), the Dominican Republic, Peru, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, Kenya, Chile, China, Guatemala, Israel and France!
To limit the carbon footprint and try to curb drug trafficking, the ideal would be to consume locally.
To check
- Inside the bloody cartel war for Mexico’s multibillion-dollar avocado industry by the Los Angeles Time
- Netflix' series "Rotten". There is a super interesting episode, called "The Avocado War", that explains all the problem that farmers are facing.
This article serves exclusively for informational purposes and is not intended, nor should it be considered, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is strongly advised that individuals consult with their healthcare provider for personalized guidance and recommendations.
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