For many, avocados are an essential in the kitchen, whether they’re tossed in a salad, spread on a slice of toast or blended into a smoothie.
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But if you’ve recently visited your local supermarket, you’ve probably been shocked by the skyrocketing prices of avos.
Or, worse still, you couldn’t find any!
Logistical issues
According to Primedia+, Derek Donkin, CEO of the South African Subtropical Growers Association, confirmed that the South African avocado season runs from February to November, with January and December being lean months for local supply.
He also pointed out that logistical issues in importing the fruit from Tanzania have led to a shortage on local shelves.
As for the price hike, Donkin reminded all of some Economics 101: When supply is low, prices go up.
However, he’s optimistic that costs should* start to drop in February as local supply picks up.
“When we look at supply and demand, obviously the price will be higher when there’s less fruit around. That’s just a fact of the market that we operate in,” Donkin said.
* do prices ever really come down?
Have you struggled to buy avocados lately – and seen a hike in prices?
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