AVOCADOS CAUGHT IN PRICE FEUD
A price dispute between producers in Michoacan, the heartland of Mexican avocado production, and packing firms has brought exports of the coveted green fruit to a halt. Growers ceased harvesting last week and shipments to Mexico’s three top avocado buyers — the U.S., Canada, and Japan — have been suspended, according to daily newspaper Reforma. The interruption has hurt deliveries to U.S. retailers like North Carolina-based Food Lion, which runs supermarkets in 10 U.S. states, and the Firehouse Subs chain. The conflict entered its second week as producers seek a minimum price range of 17 to 20 pesos (US84 to US99 cents) a kilo. APEAM, the association that groups producers and packers, says it’s nearly impossible to set a price range. The average price of avocados in Michoacan is 10 to 12 pesos a kilo, which according to the association, leaves a “good” margin for producers.