Last week’s triple digit temperatures and 30-mile winds wreaked havoc on California avocado orchards, right before the Industry’s biggest day of the year — the Fourth of July, says the Los Angeles Times. Growers aren’t sure yet how the heat will affect their harvest or guacamole-ingredient sales. The worst impact may come in 2017, since many of the plants lost flowers — the source of next year’s fruit.
“The heat blast is yet another setback to California avocado growers, who are battling water woes, labor shortages and increased competition from Mexican avocados, which now command more than 80% of the U.S. market,” says the LA Times. The California avocado market has largely weathered these setbacks, bringing in more than $400 million during three of the last six years. But small, independent growers are vulnerable, especially if they rely on municipal water.
California growers had thought 2016 would be a great season, since Mexican harvests are down. But the heat has thrown off their projections. Some farmers plan on selling dropped avocados — or seconds. They aren’t as handsome, but they make a mean guac nonetheless, and cost less.