NBC 7 San Diego reports, “The import of avocados from Mexico to the U.S. has decreased by more than half this month, according to the San Diego County Farm Bureau. NBC 7 confirmed with the San Diego County Farm Bureau on Friday that there is a massive shortage of avocados in the county and nationwide caused by labor strikes in Mexico.
Growers and pickers in Mexico are having what officials called a “slow down,” or strikes, to affect the price of avocados in the U.S. Workers reported being unhappy with the prices they have been receiving for the fruits. Due to this, shipments coming into the U.S. have decreased, leading to a massive shortage that has been affecting restaurants and stores in the county and the everyday buyer.”
According to the OC Register, “Here’s why avocado prices are skyrocketing at your local grocery store: A poor growing season in California had led to a surge in prices, which have more than doubled from last year.”
With the California avocado season coming to a close, purveyors like Ingardia were hoping for some relief from growers in Mexico. But Sandoval said there are not enough avocados being picked south of the border to meet demand.
Phil Henry, president of Escondido-based Henry Avocado Corp., said his company is facing “extreme shortage.”
“Last week, we received less than one-third of the volume we need to supply demand, and this week is not starting any better,” he said Monday in an email. “In addition, we are paying significantly more for whatever shipments we do receive.”
Fox 5 San Diego reports, “California is seeing a major avocado shortage. The California drought, plus a strike in Mexico, means you might not get your guacamole at some restaurants in San Diego.
The shortage is so bad that some restaurants are having to cut the super-food from their menus, while others are just eating the higher cost.
Right now, restaurant owners like Johan Engman of Como Ceviche in East Village are paying $125 a case. Just two weeks, avocados were costing Engman between $40 and $50.
“Now that’s a big change. We’re hoping it doesn’t last too long, and it’s a cost of doing business, and we just have to eat the costs,” said Engman.
Fish District in Solana Beach is giving a $.50 discount on all meals because they don’t have avocados for customers.
“It’s really tough. People come in here asking for it. And when we don’t have it, it’s kind of a shocker. They just don’t understand,” said employee Paradise Wright.
The strike in Mexico ended Thursday, so farm experts predict the price will begin to fall by the start of November.”
Even the Atlantic magazine has a lengthy article on this ‘crisis.’ Because it is particularly ill-suited to withstanding the sorts of changes that are expected in coming decades—higher temperatures, more water shortages—the avocado may soon become a luxury item once again. After another summer of intermittent shortages and price hikes stemming in part from excessive heat in California, where 80 percent of American avocados are grown, Mexico is also now facing a serious shortage following a lackluster growing season for similar reasons. “According to the Hass Avocado Board, the amount of avocados shipped from Mexico to the U.S. in the first week of October dropped from 44 million to 22.9 million pounds year-to-year,” a local tv outlet in Pasadena, Calif., reported last week.