There are numerous documented problems with commercial avocado plantations, especially in southern Spain.
These plantations began to proliferate during the 1960s and 70s to meet the growing demand for avocados as a healthy and tasty food. They were primarily located on the southern coast of Spain, where the climate was then more favorable for avocado cultivation, often in Málaga, Granada, and the area around Valencia, but this trend has since intensified.
One of the biggest problems in our current climate is water scarcity. Avocados are thirsty plants, which, unfortunately, means that large-scale cultivation means they consume a lot of water. This water could belong to the local community.
Another problem is that we have lost many native plants and trees, which were removed to make room for these avocado trees. And as these plantations expand, the problem only worsens. We need native plants and trees to feed our local livestock, and so on.
Some of these problems mirror what has happened in the Global South, in countries like Peru, where the avocado originated and has been cultivated for decades. Therefore, we risk replicating many of these problems here in Spain.
We have seen new avocado plantations emerge outside the usual growing areas in Spain; for example, avocados are being grown as far north as Galicia (where our project originated).
This is an example of how climate change has led to changes in avocado cultivation in Spain. Galicia has a rainy climate and fairly cold winters, but these conditions are still favorable for avocados.
In 1960, the climate was largely unsuitable for their growth, demonstrating the relative speed of climate change.
To clarify about our Aguacateros project - this isn't an attack on farmers, or those who are involved in growing avocados commercially in Spain. The problem is far bigger than that. Our project aims to take the pressure off commercial growing by encouraging food production at the local level, allowing the people to once again take control of the land, and the means of production (quite literally).
Yes, there are problems with commercial avocado growing, but there are problems with the entire global food system! Our approach aims to raise awareness of those issues but importantly, to take local collective action, as a way to protect ourselves.