The primary reason avocados are so expensive is that they require a lot of water to grow. A million gallons of water is essential to growing an acre of avocados.
However, while avocados have gained popularity as a trendy food worldwide, they require many expensive materials and labor to grow. As a result, up to 129% in the last few years, avocado prices have skyrocketed to an average national price of $2.10, practically doubling within a single year.
Avocados necessitate numerous inputs, including water, fertilizer, pruning, pest management, and tree sunscreen. These factors work together to improve your chances of harvesting a high-quality crop.
Avocado consumption peaked in the 1980s during the fat-fighting craze, but by 1989, Americans were only eating one pound of avocados per person on average. Low-fat diets of the last decade led people to avoid avocados because of their high-fat content, without realizing that they were missing out on the nutritional benefits.
As the Mexican supply became more prevalent and available, retailers jumped on the bandwagon of marketing and selling avocados. In addition, food service providers and restaurants began incorporating avocados into their menus regularly. As a result, demand skyrocketed due to the inconsistent supply chains that had previously existed.
Why Are Avocados So Costly?
Avocados necessitate numerous inputs, including water, fertilizer, pruning, pest management, and tree sunscreen. These factors work together to improve your chances of harvesting a high-quality crop.
An 8-ounce piece of fruit would use nearly half the water needed to produce 100,000 pounds of fruit or around a million gallons. However, that is a question to the whims of mother nature since we have wind and scorching sun. An uncontrollable factor that could influence a crop is complicated for a producer to control.
At first, this decision enraged Californian farmers, who believed it would reduce sales for their businesses. However, the reality was quite the reverse. As avocados were more widely available year-round, sales grew significantly.
An unusual political choice aided avocado’s recovery at the beginning of the new millennium. Mexican avocados were permitted to be introduced into all 50 states in 2005 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture repealed a 90-year ban.
There’s a lot of buzz around avocados, but it’s based on the fact that this food is exceptionally nutrient-packed. In terms of nutritional content, there aren’t many foods that can genuinely match it. The Super Bowl, where approximately 200 million pounds of avocados are consumed during the game, is the busiest day for avocado sales.
Why Did Mexico Stop Sending Avocados?
Until the restriction is removed, avocado supplies are projected to decrease. In addition, all imports of Mexican avocados have been halted due to a threat received by a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico.
There’s a lot of buzz around avocados, but it’s based on the fact that this food is exceptionally nutrient-packed. In terms of nutritional content, there aren’t many foods that can genuinely match it.
Suppose the current U.S. ban on Mexican avocado imports continues. In that case, avocados will likely be in low supply and more expensive in the coming weeks. Avocado goods will probably cost higher in grocery stores and restaurants.
There was no plan to arrange for the halt in Mexican avocado shipments until it was too late for supermarkets, restaurants, and customers. As a result, it’s not clear how long the suspension will last, even though it is temporary.
Nearly eighty percent of the avocados purchased in the United States originate in that border nation. And at this time of year, it’s closer to 90 percent than ever before.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture data, avocado consumption in the United States has increased fourfold from 2001 to 2018. The agency also announced that it is working with Customs and Border Protection to continue importing avocados examined and certified for the shipment before February 11.
Are Avocados Expensive?
Fuerte and Hass avocados, two of the most popular types, are in short supply. It was a disappointingly barren year. The avocados couldn’t make it to Australia because of some unexpected storms.
Due to their high water requirements, avocados are extremely expensive to grow and only thrive in a few regions. In addition, if avocados are transported incorrectly, they might go rancid. Also, it takes a long time to grow, and the fruits they produce each year can vary greatly.
As one of our favorite fruits, avocados are one of our favorites. It’s famous as a breakfast food, but it’s increasingly showing up in salads and other cuisines. You may have noticed the high cost of avocados, especially if you buy them frequently.
However, avocados are still widely available despite their high price. However, if you’re going shopping on a tough budget, you might wonder if you’re getting excellent value for your money, say, avocados.
Most avocados cost between $1 and $1.5 per piece. However, the cost of one avocado varies greatly depending on where you live and the variety of avocados you choose.
Although avocados aren’t very costly, you can save money by purchasing them in bulk. An entire avocado can produce two to three meals.
Why Are Avocados So Expensive 2022?
The primary suspects have decreased availability and inflationary pressures on the supply side. As a result, several supermarkets have raised their pricing a tad recently. Fortunately, avocado prices have already come down from their peak and are expected to continue their downward trend.
According to USDA data compiled by ProduceIQ, a digital community for produce buyers and growers, the average price for a carton of 48 Hass avocados last week was $78.75. The price of avocados imported from Mexico at the Texas-Mexico border is reflected in this figure.
For as long as it takes to preserve the safety of APHIS workers in Mexico, the suspension will be in effect. There is no official word from the United States government on how long the suspension will be.
High avocado prices have already hurt Chipotle’s quarterly earnings. The burrito company had previously anticipated increasing avocado pricing during the first quarter.
Avocado lovers can look forward to some positive news despite the short-term pricing concerns. Jalisco, a Mexican state, was recently permitted by the United States to begin exporting avocados. Magana anticipates the imports to begin arriving in U.S. grocery stores this summertime, which might lower prices in the long run.
