California Avocado Growers Believe Mexican Imports Will Boost Sales

Somis, California (AP) – Andreas Tomporos lost his home and at least a third of his avocado orchards due to wildfires. However, the 47-year-old grower remains optimistic about his farm’s recovery.

California farmers frequently cite numerous challenges, including high labor costs, water restrictions, and international competition. Yet, many avocado producers are seeing positive outcomes, and a key factor may surprise some— the influx of Mexican imports.

When the U.S. lifted the ban on Mexican avocados in 1997, California growers initially feared that these imports would supplant their own produce.

However, the consistent availability of avocados has not diminished their sales. Instead, it meets the annual demand in markets and restaurants. Before this influx, most American consumers viewed avocados as a niche product, and during California’s season, industry authorities worked hard to rekindle interest in them.

Those days are gone.

Avocado consumption in the U.S. has surged over the last two decades. According to federal statistics, the average person’s consumption tripled to over 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) between 2000 and 2021. Avocado toast and guacamole have transcended gourmet cuisine in New York and found their way into everyday cafes in the Midwest and South.

Avocados are in demand

On a sunlit hillside in Los Angeles, Tomporos is repotting around 300 avocado trees, driven by the belief that the appetite for American avocados continues to flourish.

“It’s coming back, and I believe it’s going to be better than ever,” said Tomporos, who transitioned from running a software company in Hollywood to managing the orchard he filmed in Somis five years ago.

The rising demand for avocados is bolstered by an increasing consumer interest in healthy fats, according to Emiliano Escovedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Committee.

Legislation enacted in 2000 established a board collecting 2.5 cents for every pound (0.5 kilograms) of avocado imported or produced in the U.S. The revenue generated is utilized for marketing avocados and conducting nutritional research, contributing significantly to the fruit’s prevalence in supermarkets and restaurant menus.

“It’s highly successful. It brings in more revenue than many other agricultural committees,” remarked Richard Sexton, a noted professor of agriculture and resource economics at the University of California, Davis. “When examining the growth rates of avocado consumption versus other fruits, the distinction is remarkable.”

The Trump administration has spared Mexican products, specifically avocados, thus far. California growers express a desire for Mexican avocados to continue entering the U.S., but they advocate for strict U.S. inspections of imported products to eliminate pests and protect domestic crops.

“If you’re visiting a farm in California, avocados represent some of the best deals right now,” remarked Kenmelvan, chairman of the California Avocado Commission.

California produces roughly 10% of the avocados consumed in the U.S., accounting for almost all of the nation’s avocado output. Most of these fruits are grown in California from April to September, while Mexican imports flow year-round to meet the nation’s demand, surpassing what state farmers can provide.

In Ventura County, many farmers have switched to avocados due to the low prices of lemons stemming from cheap imports from Argentina. Colin Bell, a farm commissioner in northwestern Los Angeles, believes avocado production in the area will likely rise as recently planted trees mature and bear fruit in the coming years.