Avocados exports now bring more money into Mexico than petroleum

[whm1974]

It's a shame that a food staple is being priced out of the reach of poorer folks in Mexico.

 

[Kaido]

I love me some avocados, but I don't do this fancy stuff of putting it on toast or whatnot. I just slice one in half and eat it with a spoon. The fact that it's good for you is a great bonus.

I had some avocado on toast at a restaurant the other day. I was not impressed. Guac is still my favorite, followed by Vietnamese avocado smoothies (sounds gross, but are actually awesome if you like avocados), followed by putting them in tacos or paninis.

 

[Kaido]

It's a shame that a food staple is being priced out of the reach of poorer folks in Mexico.

It's the equivalent of making Doritos cost $80 a bag.

Imagine the outrage in Colorado

 

[destrekor]

It's a shame that a food staple is being priced out of the reach of poorer folks in Mexico.

To be fair, does anyone know the actual local prices in Mexico? We pay more thanks to the whole process of exporting and larger market forces. Usually produce from local farms are much cheaper - the farmers usually get the same rate regardless, the price just goes up due to distribution and export/import.

 

[whm1974]

To be fair, does anyone know the actual local prices in Mexico? We pay more thanks to the whole process of exporting and larger market forces. Usually produce from local farms are much cheaper - the farmers usually get the same rate regardless, the price just goes up due to distribution and export/import.

Yes but I'm sure if most of the avocados in Mexico are exported, that does effect local prices as well.

 

[gorobei]

Yes but I'm sure if most of the avocados in Mexico are exported, that does effect local prices as well.

same thing happened to basmati rice back in the late90s early 2000s, all the foodie shows hyped up the rice as the new hotness and demand shot up along with prices. sellers in india could make way more profit exporting to us/eu rather than to local distributors. the people farming the rice were effectively priced out of being able to buy the finished processed product.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

same thing happened to basmati rice back in the late90s early 2000s, all the foodie shows hyped up the rice as the new hotness and demand shot up along with prices. sellers in india could make way more profit exporting to us/eu rather than to local distributors. the people farming the rice were effectively priced out of being able to buy the finished processed product.

Yup. Happened/happening with Quinoa too.

 

[UKBB]

Guac = WIN
slices of avocado on a sammich = fail

I had a beef burrito the other day with slices of avocado in it and it was fantastic.

 

[destrekor]

Yes but I'm sure if most of the avocados in Mexico are exported, that does effect local prices as well.

Great point. But remember though that they could still sell to the local public for the very amount they'd sell to the producers who wish to export it. They get the same money for themselves, and locals still get a fairly decent deal. Still more than they likely paid before, but sometimes you'll find the vegetable stand where they may even sell for a little less than they'd make if they sold it in bulk to larger buyers, just part of a community thing. But yup, in the end it'll still be more than they paid 20 years ago.

But who knows, perhaps they aren't even getting paid more where they export it, like in Mexico. American avocado farmers definitely get more for their product to sell here where they can price it like the imported market and make the extra profit margin (but in places like California where water is expensive even the high prices of today doesn't make any sense economically for many farmers). Where, contrary to that, due to increased costs associated with logistics and extra profit kept by the big buyers. I haven't a clue, but they do probably pay a little more locally regardless.

 

[IronWing]

Great point. But remember though that they could still sell to the local public for the very amount they'd sell to the producers who wish to export it. They get the same money for themselves, and locals still get a fairly decent deal. Still more than they likely paid before, but sometimes you'll find the vegetable stand where they may even sell for a little less than they'd make if they sold it in bulk to larger buyers, just part of a community thing. But yup, in the end it'll still be more than they paid 20 years ago.

But who knows, perhaps they aren't even getting paid more where they export it, like in Mexico. American avocado farmers definitely get more for their product to sell here where they can price it like the imported market and make the extra profit margin (but in places like California where water is expensive even the high prices of today doesn't make any sense economically for many farmers). Where, contrary to that, due to increased costs associated with logistics and extra profit kept by the big buyers. I haven't a clue, but they do probably pay a little more locally regardless.

If the bulk of the avocados are under contract for export, the local market prices may spike well beyond the export price.

 

[destrekor]

If the bulk of the avocados are under contract for export, the local market prices may spike well beyond the export price.

That is a very real possibility. I'd love to learn what it is like on the ground locally for various areas. Just part of that "data is beautiful" idea for me.