Avocados could be in short supply in the future because of climate change, according to new research.
A new report by Christian Aid titled ‘Getting Smashed: The Climate Danger Facing Avocados’ has predicted major declines in avocado crop yields due to climate change.
Regions best known for growing the fruit, including Burundi, Chile, Peru, Spain, South Africa and Mexico, have seen productivity decrease due to increasingly volatile weather conditions.
Growing avocados requires a lot water – up to 320 litres each – meaning that as climate change causes hotter, drier conditions, they will become more difficult to cultivate.
According to research published this week, avocado growing areas are predicted to shrink by 14 per cent and 41 per cent by 2050 – dependent on how quickly we reduce global emissions.
And Mexico, which is the world’s biggest producer of avocados, could experience a 31 per cent decrease in growing area if the global average temperature rise is below 2C, and up to 43 per cent if it increases up to 5C.
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Mexico, the world’s biggest producer of avocados, could experience a 31 per cent decrease in growing area if the global average temperature rise is below 2C, and up to 43 per cent if it increases up to 5C. Photo © Akarawut via Adobe Stock
Shortage of avocados
Avocado farmer and president of Farmer’s Pride Burundi, Jolis Bigirimana, said: “In Burundi, climate change is a huge problem, especially for avocado growers.
“We are experiencing hot temperatures, heavy rain and erosion, which is having a terrible impact on farmers’ productivity and their income.
“It now costs us a lot of money to water our crops.”
Meanwhile, Dr Chloe Sutcliffe, research fellow in sustainable horticulture at the Royal Horticultural Society, added that some smallholder farmers in Peru and Chile are already struggling with access to water – where the UK sources the bulk of its avocados.
She said: “It is very likely that the impacts of climate change on water availability will further exacerbate water scarcity issues in these areas.”
Charity Christian Aid is urging for a commitment from governments to reduce emissions, provide more aid to developing nations when it comes to climate change, and offer more financial support for vulnerable agricultural communities that rely on avocado growing.
Mariana Paoli, global advocacy lead at Christian Aid, said: “Avocados might be a superfood but their kryptonite is climate change.
“Agricultural communities in developing countries are already bearing the brunt of the climate emergency and they rely on stable and predictable climates to feed their families.
“That is why it’s vital they receive a lot more financial support to adapt to this changing climate.”
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Featured photo © sirirak via Adobe Stock
