What is the environmental and social impact of avocado?

In recent years the popularity of avocado has increased, but is it good for the environment? 

The main environmental issues of avocado production include water usage, carbon footprint, and soil degradation.

  • WATER USAGE

 

Avocado cultivation is a water-intensive process. Around 320 litres of water are needed to produce just one avocado. This means it takes about four times the amount of water needed to produce almonds for almond milk.

On the other hand, as suggested by the World Avocado Organisation (WAO), avocados require less water than other fruits such as bananas or apples, and so much less in comparison with coffee, chocolate and beef. Here you can see an illustrative graphic.

  • CARBON FOOTPRINT

 

The world's largest producer of avocados is Mexico, but the fruits are eaten on every continent, so each fruit must be picked before it is mature and shipped in temperature-controlled storage containers. This transportation has a significant carbon footprint: two small avocados contribute an estimated 850 grams of carbon to the atmosphere. 

It would surely be better to try to buy local food or avocados from plantations nearer to us. For example, in Italy, we could purchase avocados from Sicily.

Additionally, the export of avocados has meant that much virgin land and forest have been converted into avocado plantations, as well as many lands dedicated to other types of fruit, leading to monocultures and another problem: soil degradation.

 

  • SOIL DEGRADATION

 

Monocultures extract all the nutrients from the soil and destroy it year after year. As a result, the soil becomes less and less fertile over time until it is no longer suitable for cultivation.

 

  • LOWEST PESTICIDE RESIDUE 

Avocados require a very small amount of pesticide during the growing process, thanks to their protective skin. It is significantly low, especially when compared to other produce like strawberries, spinach, pears and peppers. So that the choice of organic production fits perfectly.

 

Let’s now see the impact on LOCAL ECONOMY:

In several exporting countries such as Peru, Chile and South Africa, the production of avocados plays a significant role in the local economy. In Chile, the third largest supplier of avocados to Europe, a study commissioned by the government found that the national avocado industry has created around 35,000 jobs and helped to reduce poverty among the population, especially in rural areas. However, many workers face poor labor conditions and working rhythms and hours that are close to exploitation. If originally it was a source of income and enrichment for entire countries, avocado cultivation has now attracted the attention of organised crime.