Blood avocados: Inside the cartel violence behind America's favorite fruit

In Mexico's Michoacán state, the avocado industry has become intertwined with cartel violence, extortion rackets, and armed farmer militias. With the decline in demand for heroin due to fentanyl, cartels turned to avocados as a new revenue stream, leading to farmers facing monthly protection fees, threats, kidnappings, and even death if they refused to pay. Multiple criminal organizations compete for control of the avocado economy, resulting in extreme violence to ensure compliance from farmers.

Efforts by the Mexican government to curb cartel infiltration have largely failed, with corruption being a significant issue. While some Indigenous communities have found success with alternative models, the vast majority of Michoacán's avocado industry still operates under cartel control. American consumers, who consume nearly 3 billion pounds of avocados annually, are largely unaware of the deadly business behind their favorite fruit. While there is no straightforward answer, it is crucial for consumers to demand greater transparency from retailers and support ethical sourcing to address the systemic issues surrounding "blood avocados."