Avocados cause environmental problems

Global production has tripled in just over 20 years. It is a very popular fruit, but it is controversial. Why do avocados cause environmental problems? They are a good source of vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fats. And they are heavily dependent on fertilizers and fossil fuels. This contributes to increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

They have lower crop yields than many other crops. Therefore, they have a higher carbon footprint per kilogram of fruit. On average, avocados have a carbon footprint of around 2.5 kg of CO₂ equivalent (kg of CO₂e) per kg. This is more than twice that of bananas and more than five times that of apples.

Avocados cause environmental problems.
Avocados cause environmental problems.

Monoculture problems

Avocado trees are very thirsty plants. They require an average of about 1,000 litres of water per kg. This is more than most fruits and vegetables. The main problem is that avocados are grown in regions that suffer from water stress. Mexico, the world’s largest avocado producer, is experiencing prolonged periods of drought. Irrigation of avocado plantations may be undermining local people’s access to water.

Previously, avocado trees were planted in mixed plots with other crops. They were harvested as subsistence food, with only the surplus exported. Now they are displacing other native crops. They are much more vulnerable to pests and diseases than mixed plantations. This requires higher volumes of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

New avocado plantations are driving deforestation. Up to 25,000 hectares of forest are cut down each year in Michoacán, Mexico’s main avocado-producing region. It produces most of the avocados sold in the United States. Finally, human impacts must be taken into account. The avocado trade can help local populations by providing income to farmers. But now the plantations are affected by organized crime. And human rights abuses multiply. Some cities and towns are so fed up with the problems that they have banned avocados altogether.

World production has tripled in recent years.
World production has tripled in recent years.

Prevention

The best advice for consumers may be to consider alternative avocado varieties wherever possible to reduce demand for monoculture plantations.

Avocados cause environmental problems, there is no doubt about it. It is clear that the average consumer does not think about this when consuming a good guacamole sauce. But it is worth considering the factors that may affect their production in the future. Or the consequences of an excessive growth in demand.

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