Americans could run out of avocados in three weeks, if President Trump follows through on a threat to shut down the U.S./Mexico border, according to the head of the largest avocado distributor and grower in the world.
Steven Barnard, president and chief executive of Mission Produce, claims shutting down the border in early spring would result in a loss of the fruit, because crops in the United States at this time are not “relevant” and Mexico is providing all of the nation’s avocado imports.
“You couldn’t pick a worse time of year because Mexico supplies virtually 100 percent of the avocados in the U.S. right now. California is just starting and they have a very small crop, but they’re not relevant right now and won’t be for another month or so,” Barnard told Reuters.
Barnard said Americans consume an average of 49 million pounds of avocados per week.
But avocados aren’t the only thing Americans rely heavily from Mexico.
According to CBS News, tequila could soon become more expensive or disappear completely from stores.
Reuters reports that the majority of imported tomatoes, cucumbers, blackberries and raspberries come from Mexico. They too could start to disappear in the event of even a partial shutdown.
Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says almost half of all imported vegetables and nearly 40 percent of imported fruit are grown by our neighbors due south.
To combat the ill effects of a potential border shutdown that would cut off produce supplies, grocers would stock more items with longer shelf lives, experts say.
Meanwhile, the reported imminent loss of avocados has stirred up debates on Twitter:
If Trump closes the border, the United States will experience a major shortage in avocados in 6 weeks... WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT THIS
— brie schroeder (@Brie_Schroeder) April 2, 2019
The Civil War had Bloody Kansas. US Involvement in WWI had the Zimmerman Telegram. And now we have the Great Avocado Shortage of 2019...
— Scott Candage (@ScottCandage) April 2, 2019
Well, if there's a shortage on avocados, there's less avocado toast, so me and my fellow Millennials will be able to afford homes, supper club memberships, and all those other things we've been killing.
— Brian Krans (@citizenkrans) April 2, 2019
We knew it’d turn political.
This is what a president that puts America first looks like.
— Monroe County PA GOP (@monroepagop) April 2, 2019
Thank you Mr. President.
I’ll take an avocado shortage for a secure border any day .... https://t.co/KRG3thTgmC
Well, that's what air cargo is for - avocados, auto parts & spares, wide-screen TV's the lot..! The threat of shortage of these items, and in terms of avocados, there would be no shortage, is NOT a reason to allow your border to go unguarded & allow unlawful crossings.
— malexander (@Malexander) April 2, 2019
And stopping the wave of #IllegalImmigration flooding our borders! Instead #FakeNewsMedia is worried about an Avocado shortage Praising coyotes who work for the #Mexico #DrugCartels ? #DemocRATSAreDestroyingAmerica
— DeplorablyShadowbanned⭐⭐⭐ (@DeplorablyS) April 2, 2019
Quick, everyone go buy all of the avocados you can afford and create the shortage without needing to close the border!
— Mr. 'Murica (@MrBeardedTruth) April 2, 2019
Let's see if the media can find a better reason to oppose closing the border.
