Colombia: at the heart of the new avocado production sector

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Video length: 4 mins.

France 2

Article written by

V.Lerouge, M.Rénier, M.Cazeaux, F.Daireaux, D.Fellous, J.Chouquet – France 2

France Televisions

In Mexico it is called “green gold”. But today, the avocado has gone global, and what is certain is that it often ends up on our plate.

The avocado is a little more popular every year. A Parisian restaurant has made it its concept. The best-selling dish is a lawyer toast revisited on beet hummus. “We add fresh feta on top which will bring a salty taste”explains Mikaël, cook. The French are the biggest consumers of avocados in Europe. On average, 3kg per person per year are consumed. George helpera fruit importer, was among the first to market avocado in France 60 years ago. He had to adapt to the growing demand.

An ecological cost

Among the new countries producinglawyer find Colombia. There wasn’t a single avocado grown 10 years ago. From now on, it is the 4th world exporting country. Flor Ramos, former FARClaid down his arms in 2016 to create a cooperative farm. “It’s green gold, we like to grow avocado”she says. But this new Eldorado has an ecological cost. The mountains are filled with swaths of avocado trees that require a lot of water. Some accuse the culture of polluting the water, especially with pesticides.


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