Our servers at El Chubby’s in Aurora know how much you love our guacamole. Well, not to worry. You can keep calm, the guacamole supply problems are improving. That means more of that delicious green fruit for everyone.

Avocado Crisis

Maybe you didn’t even know it, but last month the United States was in the middle of an avocado crisis. Avocado shipments from Mexico fell sharply to 8.4 million pounds during one week. Although this may sound like a lot, it is about five times LESS than we need to meet the avocado demand in our country.

According to a Daily News article, the avocado shortage created a real panic with industries like produce suppliers and Mexican restaurants. Some restaurants had to stop serving avocados and others ended up paying more to keep it on their menu.

Drought and Strike

The problems stem from California’s drought and a workers’ strike in Mexico. It’s anticipated that in 2017, supplies will shift back to Hass avocados grown in California but the crop volume is not expected to be high enough due to its drier than normal climate.

Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board, said the problems have been resolved after 1,000 avocado harvesting crews went back to work after weeks of striking. “There is no longer a shortage,” Escobedo said.

The increased avocado supplies from Mexico to the U.S. reached almost 49.3 million pounds. That’s a lot of avocados.

We know our customers will be happy to have their guacamole in full supply. For some people, Mexican food just isn’t the same without their guacamole.

Now with supplies back up to normal, the inflated prices have come back down, but not completely. For example, Ingardia Bros. Produce was charging $76 a case for Hass avocados from Mexico, the highest it’s been in three decades. The price went down to about $60 a case, but that’s still $20 to $30 above the normal price.

Avocados Are Good For You

With avocado supplies returning to normal, you can get back to enjoying their amazing flavor, as well as their many health benefits.

If you didn’t know, avocados contain important vitamins and minerals. They even have more potassium than bananas. One medium avocado provides 14% of the recommended daily allowance of potassium while a banana only contains 10%! High in fiber, around 7 grams each, an avocado can even fill you up and make you feel less hungry over time.

Avocados also boast healthy fats and are low in sugar. They have no cholesterol, sodium, or saturated fat. They contain high amounts of monounsaturated fat, which helps to lower bad cholesterol. The avocado’s fat content helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins E and K, more easily.

So keep calm, the guacamole supply problems are improving. That means more of that delicious green fruit for your chips, tacos, burritos and much, much more. Come on in when you’re hungry. Our servers at El Chubby’s in Aurora are ready to serve up the guacamole that you love so much.