In New Zealand, a grave situation is unfolding, increasing crime throughout the country – avocado shortage.
It’s hard not to poke a little fun at New Zealand’s avocado stealing problem, while civil war and human rights violations continue in Syria and other countries around the world.
Recently, Global Citizen published an article exploring the idea that the third world war would be waged over water but now I’m thinking it might be over this coveted green fruit.
When Chipotle considered removing guac from the menu to stay in line with its sustainable sourcing goals, people legitimately freaked out. In Australia, an avocado shortage caused prices to jump to $7 AUD, causing some Aussies, like Liz to relocate.
“I moved from Sydney to New York in January,” said Liz Andersen an Australian resident. “Clearly the lengths I went to to get avocados was to move across the world to greener avocado stocking territory.” Adding that if something doesn’t change, “I don't think I'd be able to return to Australia.”
Due to heavy rainfall, avocados farmers in Western Australia were not able to harvest at their usual rate, causing delays and shortages. Farmers cannot harvest wet avocados because there is a high risk of spreading a fungal disease called anthracnose among the fruit supply.
Australian orchards supplying avocados recently planted more trees to keep up with demand, but many will not be ready for another six years – the time it takes for the trees to mature and produce fruit.
Until then, people are resorting to serious measures.
In New Zealand, according to a non-satire piece, there have been 40 reported “large-scale” thefts from avocado orchards on the country’s north island. More than 350 avocados have to be stolen at a time for the theft to be labeled "large-scale."
Since avocados are selling for about $6 NZD, that’s worth about $84,000 NZD; but who can put a price on the delicious creamy avocado?
For farmers, this has become a red-alert situation. They're not just sitting back getting robbed, they're fighting back with automatic lights and alarm systems, in the hope that the bandits are captured and the fruit are returned.
Stolen avocados stay local in New Zealand, selling at pop-up shops on the side of the road, households, and local sushi spots.
Nobody’s gone to global smuggling yet, but who knows what people will do for avocados?