Why Some Restaurants Might Soon Run Out Of Guacamole
Everyone knows the "Avocados from Mexico" jingle, and if you say you don't sing it in your head, or at least hum it when making a morning avocado toast, we find that pretty hard to believe. Although a popular tune, the Avocados from Mexico Super Bowl commercial has viewers confused, and it even received some backlash due to its unfortunate timing.
On February 12, the U.S. government suspended all avocado imports from Mexico — frightening the fruit's fans everywhere. According to the New York Times, the ban occurred due to a verbal threat made towards a U.S. inspector working in Mexico. In order to ensure safety, the avocado suspension was put in place. As of late, the temporary ban was lifted on February 18, but with new safety precautions put into place.
As a guacamole lover, you may be left wondering, what does that mean for avocados? Restaurants are scrambling to find a replacement for the popular appetizer, experimenting with cactus, which some deem the new avocado, as well as zucchini. Others, however, are just omitting guacamole from the menu altogether.
A raise in avocado prices and shortages may occur
With a huge demand for avocados in recent years, it's inevitable that the cost for the fruit increases too. Price hikes and food shortages are nothing new to this popular green produce, as last summer's avocado shortage impacted Chipolte and may have affected other restaurants as well.
The current scarcity makes sense, as avocados imported from Mexico make up 80% of the U.S. supply (via Time). Restaurants have been struggling with supply chain shortages since the start of the pandemic, which has only contributed to greater turmoil among the industry. Time explains that Mexico's avocado prices have nearly tripled in price and are becoming more difficult to obtain.
Unfortunately, harder to find avocados means harder to find guacamole. The USDA said in a statement that Mexico and the United States are working "to fortify the strong bilateral supply chains." Hopefully, this means the ban's lift is one step closer to eradicating the shortage entirely, and we can get back to enjoying guac and chips without worry.