Cour

Fans of avocado are well
aware that the natural
delicacy costs a bit
more than most produce. In
fact, some clothing companies
have capitalized on this piece
of common knowledge by producing
humorous t-shirts with
slogans like, “Yes, I know avocado
is extra” and “I know that
guacamole is extra.”
In recent weeks, however, extra has
taken on a whole new meaning. The cost
of avocado has more than tripled in recent
weeks, thanks to a major shortfall.
Each week in October 2015, Mexico
sent at least 40 million pounds of avocados
to the United States. This October,
the neighboring country has sent about
13 million pounds per week, according
to the Hass Avocado Board.
The shortage was spurred by a strike
among avocado workers in the Mexican
state of Michoacan, protesting wages
paid by packing companies—reportedly
as low as $1 for the same two pounds of
avocados sold to the United States for
more than $5.
The strike has been settled, but prices
for avocado—which is actually a fruit,
despite its savory taste—are still at a
record high. Meanwhile, the California
crop that will be harvested at the start of
the year is expected to be scant because
the drought has damaged avocado trees.
That prediction has further exacerbated
the price hike, leaving local restaurants
and grocers wrestling with a
choice: pass the increased costs onto customers
or try and weather the storm.
Alex Jo, who runs his family’s Claremont
restaurant Blue Fin Sushi &
Teriyaki, spoke to the COURIER about
the situation Monday. This week, he said,
vendors are asking for as much as $150
for a wholesale box of avocados.
Blue Fin is feeling the pain but trying
Claremont COURIER/Friday, November 4, 2016 12
Avocado shortage hits home with huge price increases
COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
The price of avocados has risen sharply this summer, due in part to a shortage
of supply.
to strike a balance.
They’ve stopped serving avocado rolls
and avocado salad, two of their most avocado-heavy
items. They are still serving
sushi that contains slices of avocado,
but if costs continue to rise the restaurant
may have to consider raising the price of
some items, according to Mr. Jo.
Podges Claremont Juice Company is
walking a similarly thin line between
waiting out the crisis and protecting their
bottom line. The Yale Avenue juice bar
and restaurant has traditionally charged
customers $1 to add half an avocado to
any sandwich. They have raised the price
for extra avocado to $2, prompting consternation
among some customers, according
to owner/manager Uvon
Cisneros.
Podges is not profiting from the price
hike, she emphasized. Instead, the
change is offsetting the skyrocketing cost
of avocados, which Ms. Cisneros said
has gone from $20 a box six months ago
to $85 per box today.
They haven’t raised the price of their
three avocado-based sandwiches: avocado
and ham, avocado and hummus and
their veggie sandwich. And they certainly
don’t want to do away with these,
given that two of these are the best options
for vegan customers.
AVOCADOS/next page