Introduction
Avocados are a beloved fruit that are used in a variety of dishes, from guacamole to avocado toast. Unfortunately, a shortage of avocados is causing prices to skyrocket, making it difficult for people to enjoy this delicious fruit. In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons behind the shortage and provide some tips on how to get your avocado fix without breaking the bank. We’ll also provide some delicious alternatives to avocados that you can use in your favorite recipes. So, if you’re looking for ways to enjoy your favorite dishes without breaking the bank, read on!
A Shortage of Avocados Is Causing Prices to Skyrocket — Eat This Not That
Avocado lovers, beware: A shortage of the beloved green fruit is causing prices to skyrocket. According to CNBC, the price of avocados has risen by more than 50% in some parts of the world due to a shortage of the fruit.
The shortage is being caused by a combination of factors, including a decrease in production due to bad weather, an increase in demand due to the popularity of avocado toast, and a decrease in imports due to trade disputes. As a result, prices have been rising in countries like Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
So what can you do if you’re an avocado lover and don’t want to pay sky-high prices? The answer is simple: Eat something else. There are plenty of other healthy and delicious foods that you can enjoy instead of avocados. Here are some ideas:
- Eggs: Eggs are a great source of protein and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Try making an omelet or a frittata for a delicious and nutritious meal.
- Nuts: Nuts are a great source of healthy fats and can be eaten as a snack or added to salads and other dishes. Try almonds, walnuts, or cashews for a tasty treat.
- Legumes: Legumes like beans, lentils, and chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber. Try making a bean salad or adding them to soups and stews.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals and can be eaten raw or cooked. Try adding some berries to your oatmeal or roasting some vegetables for a delicious side dish.
So don’t despair if you can’t find avocados at your local grocery store. There are plenty of other healthy and delicious foods that you can enjoy instead. Bon appétit!
Almost 10 pounds of avocados are consumed per person per year in the U.S., according to data from Rabobank. Demand for this magical fruit has grown exponentially over the last few years.
Shipments from South America help California supply the country, but this is yet another crop that faced a tough year in 2021—and the effects are still being felt at supermarkets.
Related: 6 Things You’ll See at Costco This Year
If avocados are on your list right now, be prepared to pick through a lower supply and pay almost double the price versus a year ago. The average price of a Haas avocado is currently about $1.50, whereas the average price in January 2021 was about $0.99. Unfortunately, it’s not a “more bang for your buck” situation—in fact, it’s the opposite.
An Austin-based reporter with Axios wrote that the price of one small avocado at his local H-E-B rose from $0.52 (last year) to $0.91 (this week). The same phenomenon is happening at other stores, too. Walmart is currently retailing small avocados for around $1.
Supplier Limoneira recently told analysts that conditions in California over the past year had been less than ideal for avocado production, according to Supply Chain Dive. Fewer rainfall totals in the Golden State now mean smaller fruits and a smaller crop. The company sold only 3,000 pounds of avocados from October to December 2021, whereas in 2020 it sold 478,000 pounds—that’s a 99% decrease.
Not only is it costing consumers more for avocados, but it’s also pricier for producers to grow them. The cost of soil and fertilizer is up across the globe, including where a chunk of this beloved fruit is imported from in South America. “Farms are failing, and many people are not growing,” one farmer in Colombia told The Wall Street Journal.
A spokesperson for California Avocados told Eat This, Not That!, “Like many farmers, California avocado growers have been experiencing rising costs, including cost of water, labor and other inputs. Additionally, freight costs attributed to COVID-19 impacts can be a factor in pricing.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture told Axios that truck and labor shortages plaguing other industries (and grocery stores and convenience stores themselves) are also causing the shortages and price hikes. But while the guac may stay extra for a while longer, hope is in sight.
“The California Avocado Commission’s 2022 pre-season crop projection for California avocados is 306 million pounds, which is a nearly 15% increase over last season,” the spokesperson for California Avocados said, adding that came through the state in December 2021 and earlier in January 2022 helped move the region from severe to moderate drought conditions.
“The 2022 California avocado crop is presently being harvested in a light way and consumers will find more California avocados in their grocery stores in the coming months, with peak volume expected April through August and a tailing off in September as the California avocado season ends,” they continued.
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