The history of Mexico is linked to the history of the avocado. And vice versa. The fruit has been cultivated in the country for centuries, even appearing in the Mayan calendar and being a tribute fruit for nobles. However, it wasn’t until the end of the 20th century that avocado consumption exploded. At that time, the fruit gained national attention due to various factors, most notably the commercials during the Super Bowl and the tradition of eating nachos with guacamole during the game.

Since then, we have started the global avocado fever. Whether it is for its nutritional properties or for fashion, the cultivation and consumption of avocados is a huge market today. Not everyone likes it because of the cutting down of trees, the excessive use of water, etc. And in Mexico, anti-avocado militias have begun to emerge.

Avocado Heaven. Due to the amount of money the avocado carries, Mexico has made the avocado a cornerstone of its economy. In 2017, the Government launched a study on the potential of the avocado, which estimated that national production would increase from less than two million tons in 2013 to 3.16 million tons in 2030, while export value would double to reach 4,655 million dollars.

The United States is the main destination of Mexican avocados (a country with which they had a long fight not so long ago over this fruit), and in events such as the Super Bowl, 100,000 tons have been consumed. This amount is taken into account only during the game and both the avocado itself and the products derived from it (such as guacamole).

wet work. The same study estimated that global avocado demand would increase from 2.84 million tonnes to 4.24 million tonnes. The Government is therefore considering the best way to meet national demand while meeting 50% of global demand itself, through a series of strategies aimed at further consolidating itself in the United States (through the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement’), in Europe, in the United Kingdom, in Japan and, above all, in China, through measures of cooperation with governing bodies.

In the map we see above these lines, the Undersecretariat of Agriculture has shown a strategic map of the different Mexican regions where avocado production can be further optimized.

Inconsistent dataThe problem is as we have already mentioned: increasing avocado plantations requires space and a lot of water. This leads to increased deforestation and, in some areas, increased drought consequences.

Graphic created by Muhammad Nur Auliady Pamungkas of Noun Project

On Mongabay, they repeated the difference between official studies and those that were not. According to the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service, they identified 167,747 hectares in Michoacán. The authors of the study ‘Estimation of fragmentation and connectivity patterns of temperate forests in an avocado-dominated landscape to suggest conservation strategies’ identified a much larger amount: 244,705 hectares. About 30% would be illegal.

Cartels revealedThey estimate that by 2050, Michoacán will add another 100,000 hectares of orchards, 60% of which will probably be in the forest. But beyond the official and registered crops, there is also the problem of cartels. With such a lucrative business (a problem for most Mexican businessmen, as they themselves admit) criminal organizations want a piece of the pie.

In an article in The Guardian , locals in the plantation areas talk about how drug trafficking cartels are drawn into this sector and how they are involved in the control of avocados through the usurpation and control of the territory. We already mentioned a few years ago that these groups use violence against the local population to maintain control of parts of the avocado production chain.

And the anti-avocado militias came. The same article by The Guardian notes that, considering all this, there are communities that have begun to take action and achieve justice on their own. One of these cases is the town of Cherán, which has organized and armed resistance against deforestation, mass avocado planting and protection against cartels.

These types of forest guardians monitor illegal logging and the planting of new avocado groves. In fact, they have begun to take action against deforested areas by planting pine trees to ‘attract’ rain and enhance the recharge of underground water resources depleted by avocado crops.

They have their reasonsThe Cherán uprising, with its desire to reclaim its lands and defend itself against cartel usurpation and territorial domination, and the government’s inaction, has become an inspiration for other nearby towns. Ultimately, as in other parts of Mexico where they defend themselves from the cartels, the rejection of violence and self-defense are two important reasons; but they also want to protect the environment and, above all, ensure the survival of the locals.

Cherán residents say avocado cultivation has wreaked havoc on the region, and their goal is to ensure the community continues to have access to water to survive. But no matter how many anti-avocado militias emerge, there’s no sign of this avocado expansion ending. In fact, it’s not just the mafia, but also businessmen and US groups like the Driscolls who are trying to bribe locals to buy land and continue growing crops.

Pictures | Petar43,

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