Avocado sells up to 100 pesos per kilo: why did its cost skyrocket

One of the reasons for the surprising rise in output is due to the recent report of inflation in the country

PERIBÁN, MICHOACÁN, 21OCTUBRE2021.- Al terminar el tercer trimestre del año la producción de aguacate en Michoacán mantiene un repunte cercano al 3 por ciento con respecto al 2020, pese a las problemáticas de clima y sanciones presentadas durante el mes de septiembre. De acuerdo con los datos oficiales del Servicio de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera, hasta el mes de septiembre la entidad acumula un millón 369 mil 155 toneladas del llamado oro verde, un 2.8 más que el millón 331 mil 810 toneladas que se reportaron a estas mismas alturas hace un año. Con estas cifras Michoacán se perfila nuevamente, como sucede año con año, a romper su récord histórico, y en donde el gran motor es la conexión que se tiene con el mercado de Estados Unidos, a donde se llega a exportar el 85 por ciento de la producción. Los altos precios que alcanza el aguacate en el extranjero se ha vuelto el ‘oro verde’ en una de los sectores del campo más rentables, lo que condiciona también que año con año los productos busquen “ganarle” hectáreas al bosque con tal de aumentar sus cultivos, especialmente en las demarcaciones certificadas. Actualmente son 44 municipios que cuentan con el aval del Departamento de Agricultura de Estados Unidos (USDA) para la exportación de aguacate. FOTO: JUAN JOSÉ ESTRADA SERAFÍN/CUARTOSCURO.COM

Once again, the price of a product surprised citizens because of the sudden rise that has occurred in recent days. This is the avocado, because it is even being sold for up to 100 pesos in some parts of the country.

And it is that one of the reasons for seeing costs in “the clouds” is due to a further increase of 0.48% of the National Consumer Price Index (INPC). In addition to a report of general annual inflation of 7.29%, according to data from Inegi.

Thus, the products that marked an increase in their prices during the first half of March are: domestic gas LP, low-octane gasoline, electricity, air transport. As well as in foods that are: omelette, egg, onion, avocado, among others.

Why did the cost of avocado skyrocket?

According to figures from the Mexican government, its cost of this succulent green fruit reached its highest level in more than 20 years, due to the shortage of supply and demand within the country.

Avocado producers. (Photo: Archive/Cuartoscuro)

And the fact is that the production of this product has decreased from the Mexican ranches where it is worked. One of them is the entity of Michoacán, the main producer of food nationwide. It is followed by the State of Mexico, Jalisco, Nayarit and Morelos.

What is the problem?

Less avocado is being generated, as US importers have also reduced the purchase or purchase of the fruit due to threats.

The US government suspended all imports of Mexican avocados after a health inspector from the neighboring country reported that he received a threat at a Mexican plant.

The surprise suspension was confirmed on Saturday night on the eve of the Super Bowl, the biggest sales opportunity of the year for Mexican avocado producers, although it will not affect consumption on match day because they had already shipped them.

Avocado production in Michoacán. (Dark Room)

According to more recent information, avocado exports have also been affected by territorial clashes between drug cartels and the extortion of avocado producers in the western state of Michoacán, the only entity authorized to export to the US market.

For these reasons, the U.S. government stopped all imports of Mexican avocados “until further notice,” due to an alleged threat, the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.

“The US health authority informed the National Service for Health, Safety and Agrifood Quality (Senasica) that it made the determination after one of its officers, who was carrying out the inspection work in Uruapan, Michoacán, received a threatening call to his official cell phone,” the agency confirmed mexican.

Such a ban on imports occurred on the same day that avocado producers and the packers association submitted its announcement for this year's Super Bowl. Since then they have continued with fear and have barely recovered from these threats.

This year's commercial shows the character Roman emperor Julius Caesar and several gladiator fans outside what appears to be the Colosseum and who end their violent differences by enjoying guacamole and avocados.

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