In the United States, most of the avocado fruits come from California, Florida, and Hawaii. I’m talking about the social and environmental costs of America’s increasing obsession of wanting avocado all year round. Baltimore students get a "taste of normalcy" at center for remote learning, 2020 presidential election: a tale of two economies. This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. The thing is, these pesticides risk being leached into the waterways that are used by aquatic, wildlife and human populations. Avocado season starts in March and ends in late July in California. Imagine how much water is needed to produce the millions that feed the world. Our obsession with avocados is killing the environment, Quick and easy meals to cut costs in the kitchen, How to use up whatever’s at the bottom of that almost-empty jar, Give life to your leftovers with these super easy recipes, How to make simple breads without using yeast, How to make all your favourite potato chips at home. Exclusive Q and A with IBT's Social Capital team, The Possibilities AND the Pitfalls of Remote Work, Mexico’s avocado industry is valued at about $2.4 billion, The U.S. is the biggest importer of Mexican avocados, Michoacán is the epicenter of Mexico’s avocado industry. This creates a dent in the water table, thus affecting all the vegetation in that area. 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Some avocado growers, especially small-scale operators, have come under threat from violent gangs and extortionists who want a piece of the action. Avocado oil is a great source of vitamins, minerals and the type of fats associated with reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. That’s right. Olivado are leading the way in the avocado industry with our approach to regeneration, sustainability and utilising all waste to energy. Many olive oils claim to be “extra virgin” but are not. Not all oils are created equal, and like most things in life, you get what you pay for. California, another huge producer of avocados, has been experiencing a series of droughts over the past few years. Through Oct. 31, Michoacán produced more than 1.4 million tons of avocados, accounting for 77% of the country’s entire output. It is used in medicinal formulations as it has anti-bacterial properties. Michoacán, a state in southwestern Mexico, is one of the world’s largest centers of avocado production. Now that avocados are becoming more prominent on menus, it leads us to believe that avocados are in season all year round. In fact, studies have found that eating avocado may also help with more serious health concerns such as preventing diabetes, high blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels. A taste of Mexico – 3 Mexican classics with the Olivado twist! The avocado is the hottest health food out there right now; it’s right up there with quinoa and raw almonds. Are Avocados Bad For The Environment? Avocados are thirsty fruits. © 2020 Minnesota Public Radio. In 2018 Mexican avocado exports reached nearly $2.5 billion in value. According to several news sources, avocado growers and pickers in Mexico reported being extremely unhappy with the wages they receive, leading them to hold a workers strike and slowing down the supply of avocados into the U.S. Like many agricultural jobs, the workdays are long and hard, income is insufficient, child labor is common, and the job itself is insecure. Before you ditch your bottle of EVOO and get that gallon of avocado oil at Costco, you need to hear about the genotoxic and mutagenic side effects which have been observed in the lab. Buying in bulk may seem cost-effective, but it will quickly go rancid and much of it will be wasted. In our own country, a drought that started in 2012 and has lasted until a few months ago in California has led to avocado prices rising to an all-time high. Unlike natural forests, avocados require pesticides to survive the pests that consume these fruits. High-quality oils should have the taste and colour characteristics of the fruit or vegetable they come from. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad, but the sudden increase in demand for avocados has taken a toll on the natural environment of Mexico. Whatever little contribution you can make can go a long way into protecting our environment. Perhaps one of the worst human impacts on our forests is deforestation. That’s a tricky one. The resolution of the avocado strike remains unclear. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad, but the sudden increase in demand for avocados has taken a toll on the natural environment of Mexico. Michoacán’s avocado area alone will account for about 415,000 acres. And to be fair, the nutrients that avocados supply can easily be found in other vegetables, fruits, and nuts. A Mexican cartel known as Caballeros Templarios controls the avocado industry in the Michoacán region. For the sustainability of our planet, we need to find ways to benefit this planet, instead of stripping it off its nutrients and water source without giving something back in return. Different oils have different uses. This information is for educational purposes only. Shop with us and do your part for the planet. So it’s a stealth practice, but the piecemeal effect cumulatively becomes quite large. The oil balances metabolism in the body and will cure inflammation that is related to arthritis. We are carbon neutral now and we have made a commitment to be carbon positive by 2022. But for the locals, the reality is shocking. The following 10 aspects all come together to create what is, in our humble opinion, not just a good avocado oil, but the best in the world – Olivado. The name Olivado is synonymous with exceptional oils. "The most likely thing is that they would hire themselves out to work for the criminals. But like everything else in life, receiving a benefit comes at a cost- and I’m not talking about the $1.95 extra we pay to have guacamole on our tacos. If you would like to know more about what to look for in a good avocado oil, please feel free to contact us, or check out our range here. And to get a high-quality grade avocado fruit that will fetch money, farmers must use tons of pesticides to protect these avocado orchards. On the whole, Mexico supplies about 45% of global demand for avocados. On avocado farming’s effects on the environment: This crop, especially as a cash crop, is just so much more attractive than anything else farmers can plant or do for a living. Avocados are crucially important to the local economy, having lifted thousands of people out of poverty. Large pacts of land are required to sustain the rising avocado demands, and since farms are not enough, people are resorting to deforestation to acquire more farming space. Your investment in Marketplace helps us remain paywall-free and ensures everyone has access to trustworthy, unbiased news and information, regardless of their ability to pay. Combine these effects with global warming, and we are setting a pathway for environmental disaster. EIN: 41-0953924. If you do buy a good avocado oil, then buy it in small quantities. We’ve talked before about what extra-virgin actually means for cooking oils. We just wake up each morning hoping [crime] doesn't happen to us. Put that green mush on a plate or a slice of it on the side and you’ve got an Instagram-worthy dish and (apparently) a healthy meal. How much could Pfizer make from a COVID-19 vaccine? Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. Avocado oil not only lowers bad cholesterol, but raises the good type of cholesterol. It is best drizzled on dishes. While you’re getting your ‘healthy fat,’ the planet is dying. And these are sensitive forests. I’m talking about the social and environmental costs of America’s increasing obsession of wanting avocado all year round. Researcher Jose Agustin Vidales Fernandez further said that Michoacán avocado producers use 450,000 liters of insecticides, 900,000 tons of fungicides, and 30,000 tons of fertilizers every year – and these chemicals contaminate aquifers. This never-ending demand for avocado is fueling avocado prices, which drives more and more farmers to avocado farming for the profit, regardless of its effects on the environment. Alejandra Blanco Macias, a biologist, said the increase in size of avocado orchards has led to the disappearance of most of the area’s biodiversity, including the forests. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. To get this level, no chemicals are used in the extraction method, and instead, only machinery is used to squeeze the oil from the olive. The benefits of our organic extra virgin coconut oil. Look for organic options. All rights reserved. A diet high in monounsaturated fat enriched with avocado can have a range of health benefits, including helping people with diabetes regulate their insulin more effectively.