After multiple statements about shutting down the U.S.-Mexico border, President Donald Trump‘s threats could decimate America’s supply of avocados in just three weeks, according to a report from Reuters.
Since Mexico supplies the U.S. with nearly all of its avocados — save for some farms on the West Coast — and an abundance of other agricultural products, Trump’s threats to the close the border in response to “thousands of people trying to get into the USA” could stall American consumption of the highly popular fruit.
“You couldn’t pick a worse time of year because Mexico supplies virtually 100 percent of the avocados in the U.S. right now,” Mission Produce President Steve Barnard said in an interview with Reuters on the agricultural impact of a closed border. “California is just starting and they have a very small crop, but they’re not relevant right now and won’t be for another month or so.”
Barnard, whose company provides a large amount of produce consumed in America, explained that Mission Produce “would be out of business for a while” if Trump enacts his threats.
Monica Ganley, an expert on Latin America’s agricultural exports, also told the news outlet, “We’re absolutely going to see higher prices. This is a very real and very relevant concern for American consumers.”
“Our detention areas are maxed out & we will take no more illegals,” Trump wrote in a tweet over the weekend. “Next step is to close the Border! This will also help us with stopping the Drug flow from Mexico!”
Mexico must use its very strong immigration laws to stop the many thousands of people trying to get into the USA. Our detention areas are maxed out & we will take no more illegals. Next step is to close the Border! This will also help us with stopping the Drug flow from Mexico!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2019
America’s consumption of Mexico’s avocados has long been broiled in controversy due to profits from the fruit being used in cartel wars. The rise of the “blood avocado” occurred after numerous farms in the Central American country were violently seized by gangs that made millions off the products — funds that could then be used for other criminal enterprises.
[image via NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty-Images]
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