Avocado farms in Mexico
Mexico is the world's leading producer of avocados, accounting for approximately 35% of global production. Over the past decade, Mexico's share of the global avocado market has grown significantly, rising from around 28% to 35%, solidifying its dominance in the industry. Of the avocados harvested in Mexico, 53% are exported, with the United States being the primary destination, receiving 80% of these exports. The remaining 20% go to other countries, including Canada, Japan, and Spain, which are also major importers of Mexican avocados.
The heart of Mexico's avocado production lies in the state of Michoacán, which is responsible for approximately 80% of the country's total avocado output. This makes Michoacán not only the epicenter of Mexico's avocado industry but also a critical player in the global market. Historically, Michoacán was a significant source of migrant workers to the U.S., but the avocado boom has transformed the local economy. The sector now generates approximately 78,000 direct jobs within the state, helping to reduce the outflow of workers seeking employment elsewhere. The majority of labourers in Michoacán's avocado farms are local residents, with some workers coming from neighboring regions. This shift has contributed to a decline in migration from Michoacán to other parts of Mexico or abroad, as the industry provides viable employment opportunities locally.
However, the success of Mexico's avocado industry comes with significant challenges. The sector is deeply integrated into a global supply chain driven by high demand from U.S. consumers. While the industry has brought economic benefits to some, it has also been criticized for its social and environmental costs. The avocado trade in Michoacán has been linked to cartel involvement, with organized crime groups monopolizing parts of the industry. Additionally, the reliance on cheap labour and the environmental degradation caused by deforestation and water overuse highlight the darker side of the avocado boom. For example, avocado farming requires significant water resources, with estimates suggesting that it takes approximately 320 liters of water to produce one kilogram of avocados. This has led to concerns about water scarcity and the long-term sustainability of the industry in Michoacán.
The Evolution of the Avocado Industry
Over the past fifty years, the avocado industry has transformed from a small-scale market into a global phenomenon. Mexico, especially the state of Michoacán, has been at the forefront of this change, evolving from a regional supplier to providing nearly a third of the world's avocados. However, this success has come with significant challenges, including sustainability issues, labour concerns, and the impact of organized crime.
1970s: The Early Days
• Global avocado production was modest, with limited data available.
• In 1973, Mexico introduced a national plan to boost avocado farming, leading to increased cultivation, particularly in Michoacán.
• The industry was mostly local, with very few exports.
1980s: The Start of Expansion
• Global production reached about 1.1 million tons in 1980. By 1990, it had grown to 1.9 million tons.
• In Mexico, Michoacán's avocado farming expanded from 30,979 hectares in 1980 to 58,798 hectares by 1990.
• Mexico began to establish itself as a major producer, though its role in the global export market was still growing.
1990s: Rapid Growth
• Global production continued to rise, reaching 1.9 million tons in 1990 and increasing further by the end of the decade.
• Mexico made significant strides, developing the infrastructure needed for large-scale production and exports.
• The U.S. started to become an important market, though some states still restricted avocado imports from Mexico.
2000s: The Boom Takes Off
• Global production hit 2.7 million tons in 2000.
• Mexico cemented its status as the top producer and exporter.
• By the mid-2000s, Mexico was producing a substantial share of the world's avocados, with Michoacán leading the charge.
2010s: Mexico Dominates the Global Market
• Global production jumped to 3.9 million tons by 2010.
• Mexico's avocado industry grew rapidly, thanks to new technology, larger farms, and increased investment.
• By the end of the decade, Mexico was responsible for over 24% of global production.
• Demand in the U.S., Europe, and Asia soared, driving up prices and encouraging more planting.
2020s: Peak Production and Emerging Challenges
• Global avocado production skyrocketed to nearly 9 million tons by 2022.
• Mexico's share of global production climbed to 28-30%, solidifying its position as the leading producer.
• Michoacán remained the industry's core, though other states like Jalisco began to expand their production.
• The industry faced new hurdles, including cartel violence, deforestation, water shortages, and stricter environmental regulations.
Threats to Labourers in Michoacán's Avocado Industry
The avocado industry in Mexico, particularly in Michoacán, has become one of the most dangerous agricultural sectors in the world, not because of the nature of the work itself but due to the involvement of organized crime. As global demand for avocados has surged, criminal cartels have recognized the industry's profitability and moved in, imposing their control over farmers, workers, and supply chains. This has transformed what was once a legal agricultural business into a battleground where violence, extortion, and coercion are common.
Unlike other forms of labour exploitation, where employers themselves may underpay or mistreat workers, the primary threat in Michoacán comes from external forces. Drug cartels have diversified their operations, using the avocado industry as a means of generating revenue and laundering money. They do this by extorting farm owners, demanding "protection" fees, and, in many cases, outright seizing land and controlling production. Farmers who refuse to comply risk being kidnapped, assaulted, or even killed. The labourers working on these farms are caught in the crossfire, subjected to threats, physical danger, and economic instability as the cartels dictate how the industry operates.
The problem is compounded by the fact that many of these farms operate under constant fear. Some workers and farmers attempt to resist, while others are forced into compliance simply to survive. In response, certain communities have organized self-defense groups to push back against cartel influence, but these efforts often escalate into further violence. Meanwhile, the Mexican government struggles to maintain order, as corruption, intimidation, and the sheer economic power of the cartels make law enforcement efforts difficult.
At the same time, consumers in the United States and other major markets remain largely unaware of the human cost behind the avocados they purchase. While there is growing concern about ethical sourcing in industries like coffee and chocolate, the avocado industry has yet to face the same level of scrutiny. Despite occasional media coverage and temporary U.S. trade suspensions due to security risks, the market remains strong, ensuring that cartels continue to profit from their control.
The situation in Michoacán highlights a broader pattern in global supply chains where high-demand commodities, especially those exported to wealthy nations, create economic opportunities that, in weakly governed areas, attract violent actors. The avocado industry in Mexico is not just an agricultural success story—it is also a clear example of how organized crime can infiltrate legal markets, turning everyday products into lifelines for cartels and death traps for those who work to produce them.
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Explore the role of organized crime and informal labour brokers in the scenario describedt. Examine how these actors (such as the gangmasters mentioned) are able to exploit workers through their control over jobs, wages, or basic services, and discuss why law enforcement and labour regulations might struggle to curb these abuses. Propose potential strategies or interventions that could help protect workers from such exploitation. Evaluate the challenges these solutions would face in practice.
Last updated: Spring 2025