Avocado Production

Avocados, technically a fruit, are native to Central and South America. However, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Peru are the top avocado producers in the world. Mexico sits at the top of the avocado industry. They produced 2.4 million tons of avocados in 20203.

However, Mexico wasn't always at the top of the industry. As of 1914, the government restricted the importation of avocados into the United States due to the risk of importing agricultural pests. The government lifted the ban on avocado importations in 1997 and kickstarted the avocado industry's growth. 

In the US, over 2.7 billion pounds of avocados were consumed in 20204. Production efforts tripled as it became a green gold in tune with rising demand. According to the Hass Avocado Board, an organization founded to “make the avocado the most popular fruit in the US,” the global avocado market will continue to grow at a CAGR of over 5%.

Records show the majority of the avocados consumed in the US are from South America. However, before the government lifted the ban on Mexican avocados, the US grew avocados in California and Florida. Avocado farms can only survive in tropical regions; this is why Mexico and South America are the primary producers of avocados. 

It takes a long time to grow and harvest avocados. When you plant an avocado farm from seed, it takes up to 14 years before harvesting can start. If you planted trees instead, you would have to wait for about five years of growth before harvesting.

Impact of Avocados on the Environment

1. High water consumption

Cultivating an avocado plantation, usually in tropical climates, requires a considerable amount of water. One kilogram of avocado requires 0.75 tons of water. When comparing this water consumption to other fruits like bananas, it is about seven times more than they need. 

A study measured water consumption rates of avocados, bananas, and pineapples and found that a kilogram of avocado requires 40 times more water than a kilogram of pineapple1. Other studies conducted in regions used for avocado plantations show that they experience water scarcity due to the excessive amount of water used to farm avocados. 

Avocado trees cannot be grown on a large commercial scale without irrigation. Fortunately, irrigation reduces the necessary water intake by 20%. 

Despite the attempts at regulating the amount of water consumed by avocado fruits, its impact on the surrounding environment is undeniable. It is a leading cause of water scarcity in some regions. 

2. Deforestation

The increase in the demand for avocados globally led to massive avocado production. Farmers require large portions of land to produce enough for the increased global markets for avocados. However, these demands cause damage to the environment. 

Avocado producers contribute to deforestation while trying to acquire more land space for avocado farming. They often burn forests and cut down trees to make space for more avocado trees. A report by Global Forest Watch states that 98% of deforestation in Mexico occurs because of agricultural expansions.  

The report also shows the number of tree covers lost to fire. In 2021, Mexico lost about 340Kha of land to fire outbreaks. This record is relatively normal given that about 3.8Mha of land was lost to fire eruptions in 2011. Also, over 40,000 deforestation alert reports were recorded in Mexico between the 26th of July 2022 and the 2nd of August 2022.

In return for cutting down forest trees, we experience intense climate change. Also, avocado cultivation can't atone for the loss of the other trees cut down because the avocado tree absorbs minimal amounts of carbon. 

3. Monoculture

Monoculture is the practice of farming one crop repeatedly. Avocado production is a monoculture crop that harms the soil by striping the earth of its nutrients. It also reduces the organic matter in the soil and can cause soil erosion. 

To combat the loss of soil nutrients, farmers use synthetic fertilizers to produce crops. The herbicides used to maintain the health of avocado trees cause long-term damage to the soil. It also puts pollinators at risk of extinction, like the Monarch butterfly in Mexico. 

Avocado monoculture also alters the microbial landscape of the soil, leading to poor crop growth. Heavy industrialization causes avocado monoculture crops and plantations to leave a heavy trail of carbon and water footprints in the environment.

4. High carbon footprint

This refers to the greenhouse gas  emissions caused by humans and other activities. Avocado is a heavily imported crop to the US, producing a significant carbon footprint during transportation.

Research by It's Fresh! found in 2017 that two avocados emit 846g of Co2. A Mexican avocado makes a long polluting journey to parts of the world where it is consumed, traveling over 5000 miles to reach the UK. These significant food miles all add to the negative impact of avocados on the environment. 

In the long run, C02 emissions exacerbate global warming and climate change. The heightened demand for avocados will only damage the environment more. 

5. Non-biodegradable packaging

Producers use non-biodegradable packaging to protect avocados during transportation. Non-biodegradable packaging includes plastic bags and boxes lined with plastic. These materials are not recyclable, increasing the state of plastic pollution in the area. 

6. Socio-Economic Problems

The global demand for avocado fruit hurts the local food security of major producing countries.

Green Gold Avocado

Another Hawaiian cultivar. Also a late season in Hawaii. I hope it will be late here as well. There is more information on this cultivar. It was develop by the University of Hawaii.  You can read the release document for the University of Hawaai.  A Sharwil seedling of better quality. Has a lot of attributes. Good quality, small seed and heavy bearer. Who can ask for more. Lets hope it likes it here.  More good information,  in another document from the University of Hawaii, reporting over 20% oil.   Probably growing in the higher elevations of Hawaii. Well we'll grow it at 10 ft elevation to see what it does.
From the PlantitHawaii.com:
"A cultivar developed by the UH, considered by many to be superior to the Sharwil. Has a long and heavy bearing season (January-April, or longer). Medium size, pear-shaped fruit with a small seed, high oil content, and a rough green-gold skin. Type A.

Well that is the period  February-April I'm looking for. I have a small tree and I'm pushing it to get bud wood to top work a tree at my highest elevation 11 ft. 
October 8, 2013: My little Green Gold tree is small and the branches are thin. Reminds me of a Malama.  I'm sure I will get bud wood to top work a tree in a couple of months.
December 26, 2013: A tree has been top worked.
February 14, 2014: Most grafts are growing well. Looks good. Now we only need to wait about 24-30 months.
February 26, 2015: The tree is doing well. has enough canopy to flower and set fruit. Seems a few weeks away from flowering. Good sign for an expected late variety.
March 22, 2015: Seems like the tree decided to grow more vegetation and there are just a couple of flowers. Is typical, we'll see lots of flowers next year.
January 16, 2017:  The tree did set some fruit. Not a lot of it, I was disappointed. The fruit ranges between 11-16 oz I did get to taste if a couple of times so far. It has a hard skin so you need to open two days or so before you think is ready, or insert a thin knife  to see if it is soft. It is really good, my wife loved it (and she is hard to please) Better than a store bought Hass by far.  Great quality at this time of the year. Small seed. I don't think they get past the end of this month as I saw some on the ground. 
Now the reality. Did not produced a lot of fruit. Some trees have a juvenile period It may need another year, Did get some disease, as the pictures show. Will probably do better in an isolated back yard. One to watch because of the quality.
July 11, 2017: This tree set more fruit than last year but on the low side. For a Homeowner sufficient, specially if the flavor continues or improves with the size of the tree. So far fruit is clean and growing well. See today's pictures,

It is a superb source of nutrients.

There are almost 20 nutrients in a 7-ounce avocado. It contains an astounding amount of healthy fats and carbohydrates that help stabilize your blood sugar levels. It further improves the general health of your immune system and skin. 

Some of the nutrients include: 

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Niacin B3
Fiber
Protein
Carbs
Fat 
Calories
Potassium
Magnesium
Potassium
Folate
Riboflavin