If you’re a lover of guacamole, chocolate avocado shakes or smashed avocado on toast, get ready to pay more for your fix of the green fruit.
Avocado prices have risen to a record due to surging global demand and reduced harvests from major producers Mexico, Peru and California.
A 10-kilogram box of Hass avocados from Mexico’s major wholesale producer sells for around 530 pesos (£21.78; $27.89).
That is more than double last year’s price, according to Bloomberg data.
Analysts expect prices to remain at “elevated levels” after a growers strike in Mexico and drought in California led to a severe supply crunch last year.
Mexico supplies 82% of avocado shipments into the US, according to data from the Hass Avocado Board, but that is expected to drop.
California production is forecast to be down about 44% this year.
Peru has also downgraded this year’s crop forecast following severe flooding in its southern growing regions.
US shoppers have seen prices rise steeply, but not at the same rate as wholesale prices.
Food trend
Avocado consumption has grown dramatically after the fruit’s taste and health properties turned it into a major food trend.
The avocado has the highest protein and oil content of any fruit. It is also believed to help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.