Several specialists have warned that the environmental cost of cultivating avocados, one of the most popular fruits in the world, was so high that it could cause an ecological collapse in less than 50 years. The main environmental impacts generated by the production of this fruit include the decrease in forest areas and its negative effects on the hydrological system, the high use of agrochemicals that generate soil and water pollution, ground erosion, the decrease of genetic biodiversity, the promotion of monoculture, and the reduction of available food.
Michoacan is Mexico's main avocado producer and a world leader in avocado production. Nearly 40,000 producers cultivate Hass, Organic Hass, and Creole avocado varieties in 39 of Michoacan's 113 municipalities. In fact, according to data from the Agricultural Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), as of October 31 of this year, 1,416,000 tons have been produced on 167,745 hectares planted, which accounts for 77% of the national production.
Alejandra Blanco Macias, a biologist and teacher in Environmental Impact, the increase in avocado orchards has led to the transformation of this state's ecosystems and a loss of most of its biodiversity, such as the forests and environmental services they offer, which leads to an increase in temperature.
"The state has lost about 50% of its natural vegetation and much of that loss is due to avocados." According to the expert, Michoacan is the fifth state with more biodiversity in Mexico. Its forests have 845 registered tree species and there are endemic species in at least 18 municipalities.
Data from the Bank of Mexico indicated that in 2018 the value of avocado exports reached 2.494 billion dollars. The Association of Avocado Producers, Packers, and Exporters of Mexico (Apeam) stated that in the 2018-2019 season the country exported 914,530 tons of avocado to the United States and that they expect to export 1,042,000 tons of this fruit to the US this season.
To meet this demand, avocado producers exploit forest lands, apply excessive use of chemical fertilizers to plants to optimize their yield and achieve export quality.
According to researcher Jose Agustin Vidales Fernandez, there is indiscriminate use of pesticides in the avocado producing area of Michoacan; producers use 450,000 liters of insecticides, 900,000 tons of fungicides, and 30,000 tons of fertilizers each year, which, among other things, contaminate aquifers.
The Center for Research in Environmental Geography (CIGA) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) estimates that 88% of Michoacan producers are responsible for various pollution issues that range from regular to severe, such as erosion, depletion of aquifers, and pollution from pesticide use.
