Tragedy for the middle classes as avocados are set to get more expensive

Avocados are THE ingredient of choice for hipsters and the middle classes but they will soon have to dig deeper into their wallets to buy them.

Whether it’s smashed up on toast and served with a poached egg or pulverised into guacamole, avocado has become a staple ingredient in recent years.

However, prices have risen to record levels due to a combination of the massive global demand for the green fruit and reduced harvests from major producers in Mexico, California and Peru.

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Data uncovered by Bloomberg has found that a 10kg box of Hass avocados from Mexico currently sell for around £21.78 – double the price of what it was just one year ago.

These levels are set to remain as high as they are due to a growers strike in Mexico and a drought in California last year that saw supplies drop.

Severe flooding in Peru has also seen production levels drop, leading to steep price rises for consumers.

Avocados have surged in popularity in recent years due to health benefits, which include a belief that it can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

The U.S. is the world’s largest consumer and importer of avocados, while it is becoming increasingly popular in China.

Top pic: Rex