CONCERNS over the cost of a popular fruit used in salads and smoothies have begun this month.
An uptick in price is set to occur amid President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, as it’s a massive import for Americans.
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That fruit would be none other than avocados, a food item which is staggeringly 90% imported, per data from the Hass Avocado Board.
Most of which comes directly from Mexico.
It’s no secret that Mexico is set to get slammed with 25% tariffs after a quick delay for about a month from the White House, per CNN.
Avocado companies are now scrambling to decide what to do to navigate the tariffs, leaving them having to incur the costs or consumers.
Read More on Price Increases
Some are already preparing to catch the brunt of the tariffs, claiming that dishes like guacamole, notably avocado-based, are going to be “more expensive than caviar very soon,” according to a post from a concerned shopper on Facebook.
“Avocados in Colorado are $2.50 each!” they cried out.
Given the high demand of the fruit nationwide, it’s likely that there’s no possible way for companies to meet it without still importing from Mexico.
There’s also similarly a fairly slim chance that American farmers will all of a sudden kick it in gear enough to meet that demand without relying on Mexico for avocados, even with other countries that supply it to us, like Colombia and Peru.
RAPID GROWTH
American avocado consumption has been on the rise for decades now, per the Wall Street Journal.
In 2025, the average American eats a whopping nine pounds of avocados year over year.
That’s quadrupled since 2000, and back in the 1970s, we ate less than a pound annually.
Much of that growth can be attributed to Mexico, according to what David Ortega, professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University, told the publication.
“The success of the avocado industry is rooted in our trade relationship with Mexico,” Ortega said.
Avocados used to be more of a luxury fruit item to have, and weren’t allowed as an import from Mexico until 1997.
Why has Trump hit China with tariffs?
DONALD Trump signed an executive order promising to hit Chinese imports to the US with a tariff of 10%. But, why did he propose the levies?
Trump believes China has not done enough to stop the production of chemicals used to make the drug fentanyl.
China has slammed Trump for the claim and described fentanyl as America’s problem.
The country also said the tariffs are a “serious violation” of the World Trade Organization rules.
China is therefore filing a lawsuit with the WTO against the US for “wrongful practice”.
China serves as a major supplier of auto parts to the US.
Phones and computers along with other key electronic devices were also in the top imports from China last year, according to Commerce Department Data.
In 2023, the US imported around $427 billion worth of products from China in total, according to the US Census Bureau.
Data reveals that 78% of all smartphones imported from the US came from China.
Trump’s tariff threat has sparked fears of price rises for fashion items and toys.
Beijing has responded by outlining its own tariffs on American goods, sparking fears of an all-out trade war between the two powerhouses.
It took a full 10 years after that for avocados from Mexico to be available across the country to all American shoppers.
COMPLICATED PAST
The United States had initially blocked avocado imports from the country in 1914 over health safety concerns after some were found to be infected with seed weevils, a type of insect.
Officials at the time decided the best way to prevent the spread of the pest stateside was to ban avocados from Mexico altogether.
That policy remained in place for just under 100 years.
California then became one of the only states to start growing avocados on its own, and still accounts for about 11.8% of what’s available to US consumers.
Once avocado farmers realized in the 1980s that customers would buy the fruit more often if it was allowed to ripen more first, similar to bananas, sales went through the roof.
Then the government started taking imports from countries like Chile, until eventually, the ban from Mexico was lifted.
Some American companies are also concerned over the potential costs of the tariffs.
Coca-Cola’s CEO recently warned customers that there could be changes to its packaging as a result.
Mattel’s CEO also said there could be price upticks for popular toys like Barbie and Hot Wheels.
