We know it’s not very nice to give you such bad news on the Friday before a long holiday weekend, but guacamole lovers need to know – an avocado shortage is upon us.
- Related content:
- Red, white and blue skies: A patriotic holiday weekend weather forecast
- An avocado a day may help keep the doctor away
- Healthy at halftime: Pineapple guacamole
According to a report published Thursday in the Los Angeles Times, last week’s triple-digit heat wave in Southern California, along with the overestimation and underperformance of this season’s crop from Mexico (Mexico now commands more than 80 percent of the avocado market in the U.S.), pose a double threat for avocado sellers and buyers.
Even scarier, California’s recent heat wave may have been detrimental to next season’s crop as well. Farmers there told the LA Times that they’re going to have to wait and see. (Fingers crossed.)
While speaking with California avocado growers following last week's heat wave, the Los Angeles Times heard stories of “shriveled leaves, branches that were badly sunburned and some fruit drop, particularly on younger trees” – the result of record temperatures between 110 and 117 degrees and 30 mph winds, which prematurely knocked the fruit off branches and whisked away moisture before the plants could slurp it up.
Read the full Los Angeles Times report here.