Avocado Prices Up 129%; Not Trump’s Fault

Many of us love a great guacamole and if you want to continue to enjoy your “guac” it is going to cost you quite a bit more.

By the way it is not President Trump’s fault due to any tariffs. What is the reason why avocado wholesale prices had increased approximately 129% (According to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture weekly retail price report, the average national price of a Haas avocado was $2.10 July 5, compared to $1.17 from the July 6, 2018 report) over this same time last year, I will get to that in a bit.

First a little history, did you know that avocados were first grown in South Central Mexico approximately 10,000 years ago, yes even before the first Super Bowl. Another fun fact about avocados is that in the early 1900s many called them alligator pears and I can certainly see why. One last interesting fact, many of us avocado aficionados know of the Hass avocado but do you know how it received its name? The Hass avocado is actually named after Rudolph Hass a postal worker who it is said purchased a seedling in 1926 from a California farmer and patented it in 1935.

Did you know that the avocado eating in moderation is very good for your body?

According to Californiaavocado.com:

Avocados Are a Heart-Healthy, Nutrient-Dense Superfood:Nutrient-dense foods are those that provide substantial amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients with relatively few calories. One-third of a medium avocado (50 g) has 80 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, making it a great nutrient-dense food choice.
Contains Good Fats: The avocado is virtually the only fruit that contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fat – good fat!
Naturally Sodium-, Sugar- and Cholesterol-Free: California Avocados are naturally sodium-, sugar- and cholesterol-free.
A Unique Fruit: Avocados can act as a “nutrient booster” by helping increase the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, K and E.
Great for Babies and Kids” The avocado’s creamy consistency makes it one of the first fresh foods a baby can enjoy.

Now that you know more about the avocado then you probably care, all many of us care about is how great they taste, let us move on to the reason the prices have shot up.

Why are prices up, well David Magaña, vice president and senior analyst at Rabobank based in Fresno, California said:

"One is expanding global demands including U.S. demand, it just continues to grow…Avocados are not only consumed now for Super Bowl or during Cinco de Mayo celebrations but year-round consumption.”