Perhaps it is a measure of how far the not-so-humble avocado has come that it is now the stuff of royal gifts.

When Prince William paid an official visit to a leisure centre in Merseyside this September - leaving Kate at home, suffering with severe morning sickness - a little boy very sweetly handed over an avocado tied with a ribbon. Young Archie's mother also suffered from morning sickness and eating avocados had proved effective against nausea.

The fruit’s appeal shows no sign of abating, riding a wave of hipster popularity — usually the Hass variety in the U.S. and western Europe. U.S. consumers are spending almost $900,000 a month on avocado toast, according to payment company Square. In June 2014, the figure was just $17,000, but by June 2017 it had reached $890,500.

In New Zealand, thieves are raiding orchards at night and selling the fruit at roadside stalls, small shops and even on Facebook.

Wholesale prices have spiked recently following a reduced crop in California this year, which has put pressure on Mexican supplies, according to Mintec. In the U.K., wholesale prices hit 86p a fruit in September, the highest since October 2016 when it was 92.5p — on the back of growing demand and a drought in California.

Read Full Article