Shoppers buying avocados in supermarkets are being warned about a future shortage of the fruit due to climate change.
Spain, South Africa, Peru, Chile and Mexico are among the best growing regions for the popular superfood, but volatile weather conditions in these areas are resulting in a decline in growth.
The fruit relies heavily on large amounts of water to grow with around 320 litres on average needed to grow just one avocado – four times the amount needed to produce a kilo of oranges.
When the weather becomes hotter and growing conditions turn drier it can significantly slow avocado growth, leading to a drop in productivity.
A recent report has found that avocado growing regions are expected to decline by up to 41% by 2050, with Mexico – the world’s largest avocado producer – seeing its growing area slashed by as much as 43% if the global average temperature rise increases towards 5%.
Avocado farming puts a significant amount of pressure on water resources in dry regions, such as Mexico, and if conditions become drier due to climate change, this will have an adverse knock-on effect on avocado production.
SaveMoneyCutCarbon explains: “Our demand for avocado can be a benefit for the economies of the producer countries and the people who work in the sector but the rapid growth of the market also puts greater strain on the local ecologies, not least the increased pressure on water resources and on forest land.
“In the past decade, we have all been waking up to the fact that water is a precious and finite resource that we need to manage very carefully. Being aware of the water consumption footprint of the things we eat is one way to make good choices that help the planet in balance with sound economic management.”
Shoppers have also been warned that buying avocados in supermarkets comes with a huge carbon footprint.
The Sustainable Food Trust explains: “Carbon Footprint Ltd estimates that two small avocados in a packet has a CO2 footprint of 846.36 grams (almost twice the amount of a kilo of bananas).
“Due to the production of avocados in Central and South America, the fruit travels long distances in order to reach consumers in the Global North. A Mexican avocado would have to travel 5555 miles to reach the UK.
“Given the distances, fruit is picked before it’s ripe and shipped in temperature-controlled storage, which is energy intensive. The UK’s imports of avocados contain over 25 million cubic metres annually of virtual water – equivalent to 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
“With global temperatures rising and water becoming scarce, this has serious impacts on local communities who do not have access to drinking water. This means that despite bold claims that avocados are a clean and sustainable superfood, the reality is that avocados have serious environmental consequences.”
But Zac Bard, Chairman of the World Avocado Organisation, a non-profit organisation that represents avocado growers across the globe, notes that most avocados consumed in the UK are transported by sea rather than by air.
He also points out that the amount of water needed to grow avocados is much lower in wetter regions and is considerably less than the amount required to grow the likes of chocolate or coffee.
He said: “Avocados have, unfortunately, been subject to negative press regarding their environmental impact, including unfounded claims often fueled by unrepresentative or little evidence.
“To put things into perspective, one kilo of avocados needs an average of around 800 litres of water, but this can be much lower in wetter regions, where avocado trees can depend heavily on rainfall water. This is considerably less than what is needed for other household staples such as beef, coffee, and chocolate, which can be much greater.”
