One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
No More Local Guacamole? California's Avocado Industry Could Face Severe Threat
Photo by Lucyrk in LA via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Photo by Lucyrk in LA via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
If it happens, some are calling it the end of California's avocado dominance. The state's $300 million-a-year industry -- it brings the United States 90 percent of the nation's avocados, much of it from Southern California coastal areas -- has been facing competition from Peru since January. But competition is not what the industry is, at least, publicly fearing, it's what imported avocados can bring.
As the Daily News explains, the stenoma catenifer, also known as the avocado seed moth, is the problem. "Native to South America, the moth -- which burrows into the fruit to lay eggs and grow its larvae -- is currently wreaking havoc on Peruvian avocado growers," according to the paper. "And since the U.S. government began allowing imports of Peruvian avocados in January, growers fear it's just a matter of time before it arrives in the U.S. and begins destroying local crops."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says their safety guidelines will protect the local growth from the moth, but others feel it's only a matter of time before some get through inspections. Some say that if the moth was found in California the infestation could severely hurt the local industry, if not end it.
At least one veteran California avocado farmer tells the Daily News that, although he has concerns about the moth, he feels year-round avocado demand is a good thing for the industry as a whole.
Also in California Farming
- Strawberry Skirmish: California Becomes Battleground Over New Pesticide
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
