January 06, 2025 | The Nation |
Avocado shortages may loom as climate change disrupts key growing regions like Mexico, Spain, and Chile. Avocado cultivation's high water demands—320 liters per fruit—intensify the issue in arid zones, with yields predicted to drop. By 2050, avocado-growing areas could shrink by up to 41%, threatening global supply chains and local communities dependent on this crop.
Avocados also have a significant environmental footprint, including high water consumption, deforestation risks, and substantial carbon emissions from transportation to the Global North. However, the World Avocado Organisation highlights that regions with high rainfall require less water for cultivation, reducing environmental impacts compared to crops like beef or coffee.
