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Avocado prices soaring due to reduced harvests Avocado prices soaring due to reduced harvests
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If you can't imagine starting your day without smashed avocado on toasts, get ready to pay a hefty price for your breakfast. If you can't imagine starting your day without smashed avocado on toast, get ready to pay a hefty price for your breakfast.
An avocado shortage and reduced harvests from major producers' have been pushing up prices in recent weeks. An avocado shortage and reduced harvests from major producers have been pushing up prices in recent weeks.
According to data from the Mexican government, cited by Bloomberg, a 10-kilogram box of Hass avocados from Mexico's biggest producer now sells for around 530 pesos (£21.78; $27.89). This is more than double compared to a year ago and the highest in 19 years. According to data from the Mexican government, cited by Bloomberg, a 10kg box of hass avocados from Mexico's biggest producer now sells for around 530 pesos (£21.80). This is more than double compared to a year ago and the highest in 19 years.
Prices are expected to remain high through the summer as a result of a grower's strike in Mexico, which has already forced retailers and restaurants in the US to take the fruit off their shelves and menus.Prices are expected to remain high through the summer as a result of a grower's strike in Mexico, which has already forced retailers and restaurants in the US to take the fruit off their shelves and menus.
Mexico is the major supplier for avocados into the US but shipments from there have fallen in recent weeks and are expected to drop even further, according to data from the Hass Avocado Board.Mexico is the major supplier for avocados into the US but shipments from there have fallen in recent weeks and are expected to drop even further, according to data from the Hass Avocado Board.
The US restaurant chain Chipotle last week said the shortage of avocados is putting pressure on costs. Yet demand for the highly exportable fruit has never been higher. The US is the main importer of Mexican avocados but the EU also has a trade deal with the South American country which is particularly favourable.
Yet demand for the highly-exportable fruit has never been higher. The US is the main importer of Mexican avocados but the EU also has a trade deal with the South American country which is particularly favourable. The fruit, known for its health properties, is also becoming popular in China with exports from Latin American nations growing by about 250 per cent a year, from just 154 tonnes in 2012 to more than 25,000 tonnes in 2016.
The fruit, known for its health properties, is also becoming popular in China with exports from Latin American nations growing by about 250 per cent a year, from just 154 tonnes in 2012 to more than 25,000 tonnes in 2016, according to the Financial Times. Last year, avocado, along with almond milk and e-cigarettes, enjoyed a surge in demand among UK shoppers as a trend toward healthy eating gathered pace. Figures from data providier IRI, which specialises in helping retailers to understand consumer demand, showed sales of avocado added 28.3 per cent to a whopping £187m.
Last year, avocado, along with almond milk and e-cigarettes also enjoyed the biggest surge in demand among UK shoppers as a trend toward healthy eating gathered pace. Figures from data providier IRI, which specialises in helping retailers to understand consumer demand showed sales of avocado added 28.3 per cent to a whopping £187m.