Why Mexico Beats The U.S. In Avocado Production

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Published 2024-08-09

The U.S. has developed a huge appetite for avocados, with per-capita consumption more than tripling since 2001. Neighbor Mexico has fueled a lot of the demand, with 80% of its avocado exports bound for the U.S., which in 2024 are set to total $2.7 billion. No other country comes close to Mexico’s production; in 2023, the state of Michoacán alone, where most of Mexico’s avocados come from, planted more than 440,000 acres, according to the USDA. By comparison, California, the U.S.' most dominant avocado producer, had little more than 52,000 planted avocado trees. Several factors like expensive labor, skyrocketing water costs and shrinking land availability have diminished the state’s role in the industry significantly. Can the U.S. avocado industry ever catch up to Mexico’s?

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:11 Chapter 1. California’s struggles
6:17 Chapter 2. Mexico’s dominance
9:15 Chapter 3. Supply chain risks

Produced by: Natalie Rice
Edit by: Evan Lee Miller
Senior Managing Producer: Tala Hadavi
Camera by: Bart Vandever
Animation: Jason Reginato, Christina Locopo, Emily Rabbideau
Additional Sources: Hass Avocado Board, California Avocado Commission, Avocado Institute of Mexico
Additional footage: AP Photo, Avocados From Mexico, Avocados Producers and Exporters Association of Mexico, Getty Images, NBC News, Reuters

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Why Mexico Beats The U.S. In Avocado Production

All Comments (21)

@TheFettMan yesterday

Labor costs and growing a fruit in a dry climate that requires a lot of water will increase your overhead. Mexico gets a lot more rainfall than california so it makes sense that costs would be lower
@jasonsmith1143 yesterday

thanks Mexican for your hard work
@sgill4833 yesterday

I'm so grateful to Mexico and avocados.
@shiftymcgee9359 yesterday

It’s unfortunate for California farmers, but thirsty crops like avocados, pistachios, and almonds don’t belong there. Switch to hazelnuts and agave as a sweetener.
@mlss1229 yesterday

In my opinion, the best avocados come from Mexico and California. Unfortunately they require lots of water to grow.
@MrAbword yesterday

AVOCADOS FROM 🇲🇽
@jm2307 yesterday

USA & Europe can’t have all the monopolies
@dd032894 yesterday

The taste is why Mexican avocado is the best. The taste is based on the soil…. Better soil
@Handsummer yesterday

Being originated in Mexico, might have something to do with flavor, texture,production etc. 🧐
@CaptainMarvel007 yesterday

Many lakes in Michoacan, Mexico are disappearing due to extensive droughts, and the avocado industry is the culprit! The U.S. has more regulations to protect water consumption, while in Mexico businesses interest are put above the public’s interest when it comes to water supply. Only a few make a killing from the avocado industry in Mexico, at the expensive of the general public without access to running water! 💧
@doingtime20 yesterday

The avocado must flow.
@edyann yesterday

Well, I'm in México and I eat about 3 avocados a day. Good fat!
@jeanaldi yesterday

Mexico has the best Avocados
@TheSateef yesterday

i just got back from MX, the avocado's there were ripe in the supermarket and super creamy. the ones i just bought here in NY from walmart taste like cardboard.
@pasofino9583 3 hours ago

My favorite part of buying avocados in Mexico is when they tell you you want 6 hour ripe avocado 12-24-36 hours?
@roadmound429 4 hours ago

Avocados from Mexico have better flavor than the ones from Peru, Chile or USA
@jaimetorres3113 12 hours ago

Mexico's climate is ideal for avocado growth, it originated there for a reason.
@MrXXY-yx8qr yesterday

Avocados are native to Mexico
@travisyarbrough4033 yesterday

The trees take a VERY long time to grow. The labor here is Mexican in CA and so is Mexico. We had a grower in Santa Barbara recently who had thieves stealing the crops for use or sale.
@Themooman29 yesterday

Maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t be planting a water intensive plant in a dry climate. If one country just has a natural comparative advantage in growing a crop then why are we upset we can’t “compete”