THE AVOCADO WAR IS OVER

Since tomorrow is National Avocado Day, we have some facts and figures that might make you say holy guacamole

The U.S. Department of Agriculture banned imports of avocados from Mexico on Feb. 11, after an employee of its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, who was working in Mexico, received threats after refusing to certify a mislabeled shipment of avocados.

Southern California News Group

The ban was only in effect for about a week, and prices shot up. Since the ban, price increases are more likely attributed to inflation.

“The safety of USDA employees simply doing their jobs is of paramount importance,” the agency said. “USDA is appreciative of the

Food and agricultural trade between the U.S. and Mexico reached $65 billion in 2021— including $2.8 billion in Mexican avocado exports to the U.S.

In the U.S. about 80% of avocados are imported from Mexico, where they are grown year-round as opposed to areas in the U.S. where they are seasonal.

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The results forecast a 2022 California crop estimate at 286 million pounds – which consists of 272 million pounds of Hass, 8 million pounds of Lamb-Hass, 5 million pounds of GEM and 1 million pounds of other varieties. This is 20 million pounds less than reported in 2021.

forecasting a smaller crop than was initially expected.

Hass

 Pebbly skin that turns from green to purplish when ripe

 Oval shape

 Small seed, 5-12 ounces

Hass is the king of California's commercial avocado crop, as it makes up 95% of the avocados grown in the state and 80% of those grown worldwide. It was developed in La Habra Heights by Rudolph Hass. Patented in the 1930s, the Hass variety overtook Fuerte avocados as the leading commercial crop in the 1970s. The original tree stood for 76 years before root rot ruined it in 2002. Hass has one of the longest harvest seasons, usually beginning in February. Hass fruit has excellent flavor and shipping qualities. A single tree can produce up to 200 pounds annually (about 500 pieces), but most average around 60 pounds and 150 pieces.

Bacon

 Green skin, oval shape

 Medium/large seed, 6-12 ounces

A bacon-flavored avocado sounds tasty, but this avocado was named for the person that bred it, James Bacon. It originated in Buena Park and was introduced in 1951. Its flesh has an unusually pale yellow/green color and has a high oil content. It matures from November-January in Orange County and December-March in Ventura County. The trees have a good frost tolerance.

positive, collaborative relationship between the United States and Mexico that made resolution of this issue possible in a timely manner.” There are more than 1,000 varieties of avocados listed in the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources database. Here are some of the most common varieties grown commercially in California: The avocado is a fruit that belongs to the genus Persea in the Lauraceae family. This refers to the type of tree and flowering plant.

Fruit maturation times are highly dependent on climate and environment, so a Hass avocado is not ready to eat at the same time of year in the Central Valley as it is in a cool coastal climate.