Jump In Avocado Prices Blamed On California Recall

ESCONDIDO, CA – An Escondido company's recent recall of California-grown avocados, due to a possible Listeria contamination, contributed to a recent jump in prices, according to an industry newsletter.

Henry Avocado Corp. issued a voluntary recall on March 23 of conventionally grown and organic avocados after samples tested positive for Listeria during a government inspection at its facility, according to company officials. The recall was for fruit packed at the business and sold statewide and throughout Arizona, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin,

The recall was cited by a produce expert as a reason prices on the fruit have changed drastically, according to a recent post in Fresh Plaza, an industry newsletter.

Prices held steady for roughly two months at $22-$24 per box and then jumped post-recall to $39-$41, Jorge Mardones of OTC Produce LLC. in McAllen, Tex., told the newsletter.

Consumers could identify the recalled conventionally grown products by the "Bravocado" stickers on the skins, and the organic versions by the labels "organic" and "California" on their stickers.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause fever, stiffness, nausea, diarrhea and other symptoms, and can sometimes be fatal for young children, elderly people or others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people usually only suffer short-term symptoms, but the illness can have dangerous impacts for pregnant women, including stillbirths and miscarriages.

Produce authorities also noted in the article that transitions in Mexico contributed to the price hike.

Read the full story on the pricing issue here on Fresh Plaza.

Have you found avocados hard to come by or more expensive? Tell us in the comment section on Patch.

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