Avocado
(Photo : pxhere)

It is no secret that Mexico is an extremely dangerous place. Violence in the country has seen a steady rise despite the efforts of the current administration headed by President Andrés Obrador. While cartels are known for trafficking drugs, guns, and even humans, it seems as though they now have their sights set on the agricultural industry as well.

According to recent reports, Mexican cartels are now attempting a forceful takeover of Mexico's booming avocado industry. While there are no reports as of yet of the cartels invading existing avocado producing areas, there are reports of one group, the Viagras cartel, taking over protected land with the intent of farming and selling avocados.

However, some of the land owners and farmers are not lying down while their livelihoods are being stolen, instead they are fighting back.

"The threat is constant and from all sides," Jose Maria Ayala Montero explained to the Los Angeles Times.

According to the LA Times, Ayala Montero is employed by "a trade association that formed its own vigilante army to protect growers."

What is the goverment doing?

Reports suggest that local authorities are attempting to thwart the invasions, but in true Mexico fashion, they have been virtually ineffective. One local authority said in an interview with the AP that the cartels are coming in, setting up orchards, and then placing drug labs within those orchards. He continued to state that because of their influence in the rural areas, the local police are rather helpless.

A local Police Chief said that the cartels have "done everything - extortions [and] protection payments," leaving the police feeling as if their hands are tied.

Unfortunately, that's not the only problem citizens of these areas are facing. With the avocado industry in the Mexican state of Michoacan seeing more than two billion dollars in revenue a year, it's no wonder the cartels want in. And where there's money to be made, there's heavy competition, it's safe to assume that most cartels will want a piece of the avocado pie. As we are well aware, where there are cartles, there is violence.

Why are the cartels just now getting in on the avocado market?

Way back in 1914, the United States placed a ban on Mexican avocados in hopes of stopping the spread of certain pests, such as weevils, to American orchards. Once the ban was lifted, after more than 80 years, the avocado industry has since been experiencing rapid growth. This has also been facilitated by growing food trends such as the ever popular avocado toast and everyone's favorite, guacamole.

But why Mexican avocados?

Apparently, Mexico has the perfect climate for avocado farming, America, on the other hand, does not. And with the only other option for the fruit being the West Indies, it's only natural that the cheaper importation from Mexico would be a significant factor. Hence, the market is booming.

According to studies, Mexican avocados "contain the highest oil content and taste the creamiest," while avocados from the West Indies "have the least amount of oil but grow to the largest size."

However, there is a hybrid avocado, called Guatemalan, that is a mix of both Mexican avocados and the avocados coming from the West Indies. These are rumored to be the healthiest.

But no matter how oily, creamy, or healthy avocados may be, it's frighteningly obvious that an avocado war is coming. What does that mean for the American consumer? Well, the price of avocados is likely to skyrocket.