Disturbing consequences of eating avocados
Global demand has skyrocketed - Since being declared a superfood and becoming a breakfast obsession.
Driving an economy - Contrary to what some believe, the commodity that is feeding American obsession and driving Mexico’s economy.
One big problem fueling environmental impact - Avocados are most popular in areas where they aren’t grown, like North America.
Many moving parts of the industry - Firstly, there’s the environmental impacts that come from the energy, water, fertilizer, and pesticides required to grow avocados.
Avocados are especially thirsty - Not only do they require more water than other produce (twice as much as oranges), but they ironically.
Causing deforestation - Because of the demand, farmers in Mexico are increasing the size of their farms.
A vicious cycle - Avocados suck up a lot of water, worsening Mexico and California’s droughts and heatwaves.
Illegal activity - The plantations reportedly installed illegal pipes diverting water from rivers to irrigate their crops.
Then there’s the export - The resources used for packaging, as well as the energy used in processing, transporting.
Destroying ecosystems and hurting locals - Many major UK supermarkets source their avocados from Chile’s avocado-producing province.