The halt in shipments is being implemented until an inquiry into a threatening phone call to a food inspector is conducted.
Avocados may become even more costly as a result of a temporary suspension of imports from Mexico, which is the world's largest producer of the fruit.
Shipping from Michoacán has been halted until an inquiry into a threatening phone call made to one of its inspectors in Uruapan is carried out, the United States said on Monday. Mexico's President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, announced in a press conference on Monday that the country is presently investigating the matter. According to him, some people are opposed to the importation of the Mexican avocado into the United States for economic and political reasons.
David Magana, senior economist at Rabobank International in Fresno, California, predicts that "substantial reductions in availability" of avocados in the United States would result in higher pricing.
Avocados are already the most costly fruits and vegetables for this time of year, according to government statistics spanning two decades. This is due to labor shortages, increased production costs, and wage increases that have afflicted the larger economy in recent years. It is one among the numerous goods that are contributing to the rise in global food costs, which is on the verge of reaching a record high.
At the same time, demand for the fruit is increasing as Americans consume more guacamole than they ever have before. According to Magana, who cited industry predictions, per-capita consumption more than quadrupled in the ten years leading up to 2020, reaching 9 pounds, and might reach 11 pounds by 2026.
According to statistics from the Haas Avocado Board, Mexican avocados account for around 80% of total avocado consumption in the United States. California accounts for around 16 percent of total supply.
Allison Smith and Mike Dorning provided support with this project.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
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