Avocado Commodity Chain

John Soluri 's Banana Cultures: Agriculture, Consumption and Environmental Change in Honduras and the United States, (Which for spatial and repetitive purposes, I will refer to as Banana Cultures for the remainder of the paper), introduces the reader to a world of corporate greed, consumption, and environmental change using the history of the common, everyday fruit, the banana. He explores the various political occurrences, health problems, and changes in mass media through the rise of the consumption of the banana in the United States, and around the globe.

We eat bananas almost every day; however, most of us do not really know where these fruits come from. In Banana Cultures, John Soluri focuses on the relationship between banana production in Honduras, especially in the North Coast between roughly 1870 and 1975, and banana consumption in the U. S.. He focuses on growing, protecting, transporting, and mass marketing of bananas. John Soluri integrates Agroecology, anthropology, political economy, and history in order to trace the symbolic growth of the banana industry. The author admits that his work is highly interdisciplinary, as a desirable trait in the academic world. The study incorporates a wide range of sources, including manuscript census data from Honduras, fruit company records, published scientific records, Honduran and U.S government correspondence, oral testimonies, and ephemera from U.S mass culture. Throughout his work, he combines elements of geography, biology, social history, foreign affairs, and environmental history. Soluri also looks at labor practices and worker’s lives, changing gender roles on the banana plantations, and the effects of pesticides in the Honduran environment and people. His central argument is that United States consumption of bananas causes major social, political, and environmental change in Honduras. In addition, he looks at the banana pathogens, the ways the United States treated these fungal diseases, and the terribly detrimental effects these new treatments had on the farmers on

The avocado, also known as Persea Americana, is a tree that is native to Mexico and America and has an extensive history. Originating as early as 7,000 and 5,000 B.C in south-central Mexico, it would take several thousand years before avocados became native in America. According to the California Avocado Commission: “Archaeologists in Peru have found domesticated avocado seeds buried with Incan mummies dating back to 750 B.C. and there is evidence that avocados were cultivated in Mexico as early as 500 B.C.” (“The History of California Avocados,” 2016). Avocados then continued their journey from when they were first originated to being discovered in the 16th century by the Spanish conquistadores. With their discovery, the Spanish conquistadores soon came to realize that they had trouble pronouncing the Aztec word “ahuacate”, so they changed it to “aguacate.” Farmers later changed aguacate to the English word we know today, avocado. Farmers changed it in fear that Americans would not be able to pronounce “aguacate” once they tried to sell the fruit. The avocado, along with it’s new name, was successful in the market as farmers would later discover. (Yoon, 2006).

Walking along the aisles of a local home improvement store or even farm, many would not think or even be aware of twine’s vast history in shaping the world around us. However, to a historian much is known about this commodity and its relation to the henequen-wheat complex as well as its effects on sustainability, economics, and society in both North America and Mexico as described in Sterling Evan’s novel, Bound in Twine. Not only did the henequen-wheat complex itself play a significant role in influencing many aspects within the two regions, but it had numerous benefits and disadvantages that ultimately changed the history and lives of many affected by its development, particularly those in Yucatan.

They provide close to 20 essential health-boosting nutrients, including fiber, vitamin E, B-vitamins, and folic acid.

Throughout my time in North America I’ve encountered different kinds of people, yet met none that eat their avocados with salt. Now I would have no problem if they ate it with their food, but they have the nerve to eat it with nothing, or worse, with mustard. Tragically, not many are aware that the best way to enjoy an avocado is with salt. A small amount of the mineral can easily bring out hidden flavours in the fruit. The natural sweetness of the berry embraces the savoriness of the salt, bringing forth a fusion of flavours that will definitely blow your taste buds. When consumed together, the coarse texture of the salt and the smooth, buttery consistency of the avocado are wonderfully harmonious. In short, the best way to enjoy an avocado

Avocado is originated in southern Mexico before coming to California in 19th century. In the past Avocado was introduced by Judge RB, Ord of Santa Barbara when he brought a tree from Mexico. Moreover, “Avocados were unfamiliar to most Americans until the mid-1900s, when growers of the subtropical fruit successfully convinced many Americans to try it”. More and more farmers as well as growers in California in 1900s saw the potential of Avocado for commercial activities and since then, many Avocados have been hunted for its varieties.

Food Chains directed by Sanjay Rawal presents a raw and unique perspective of the behind scenes events of the agricultural industry. To understand the film, the audience has to have the fore knowledge of what the agriculture industry exactly is. The agriculture industry is not only a system of farming but also a science, art, and business (300). Therefore, when the film begins to uncover the brutal working conditions, particularly for tomato farmers in Florida, the audience can begin to understand where the problem is rooted from. Food Chains presents the Coalition of Immokalee Workers fighting against the industry, particularly The Publix chain store, in order for them to earn better compensations. The film illustrates the truth behind the problems within the industry while instilling the audience of these hidden truths.

The supply of avocados in Australia over summer comes from Western Australia and New Zealand, however both supply regions are down by 30 per cent.

The production of in Peru and Bolivia, the refining of the product in Columbia, the shipping process to other countries and then the full distribution in those countries

Bananas are a common household fruit in North American and European homes. However, by buying bananas consumers are supporting an unethical banana commodity chain. Banana plantation workers are paid unfair wages, prevented from unionizing, and are exposed to toxic pesticides in the workplace. After examining the harmful aspects of labour in the banana commodity chain, consumers ethical obligations towards buying bananas must be taken into account. Do consumers hold an ethical duty to ensure that their produce is produced fairly? If yes, how can they act on these duties? Based on Utilitarian ethics, Unger and Singer would argue that a banana consumer should make the decision that does the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people

The heat was scathing, wilting, and unbearable. I screamed, “Have mercy! Please. Give me some water.” None came. I was left there to burn and die, but I wasn’t alone. Nearby, my friend was drowning and being scoped out by the enemy. The rot found him and started to attack. As my senses clouded up, I took my last breath of carbon dioxide and whispered, “Today I have lost the garden war.”

The information found in the article “Short supply, high demand sees avocado prices soar”, discusses how avocados are in a high demand but there is a very short supply. One reason the demand is so high for avocados according to New Zealand Avocado Growers’ Association chief executive Jen Scoular is because the health effects avocados provide. With the markets raising awareness and grabbing consumers’ interest, leads to a higher demand at a limited source of supply. This article also mentioned that almost 60% of their avocado crop was being exported. A spokeswoman for supermarket operator Foodstuff said “the "firmer" avocado prices this summer were not unexpected and reflected supply and demand.” ( Adams, Short supply, high demand sees avocado prices soar )From the previous years of demand for avocado only gave the inevitable that it would happen again this year. The markets were prepared for the price increase and say

Listened to their experiences, I learned that growing organically it is possible but we have to be attentive of the challenges, and there have to be a good understanding of the agriculture practices for to optimize the production. They are currently keeping vegetable rotation every 3 years, this mean they produce three years and then they left the area for 3 more before to plant vegetables again.

Organic farming is becoming an increasingly popular market throughout the world. (Adam, 2004, p. 666). The aims of organic farming are, to decrease pollution, maintain soil fertility and biodiversity, be more sustainable, and have increased nutritional benefits than conventionally grown foods (Yaping et. al., 2003, p. 298). While the aim of conventional farming is to provide safe, proficient supplies of food, in abundance and at low prices (Trewavas, 2001, p.409). Since 1996, the amount of land in the UK dedicated to organic farming has risen tenfold (Adam, 2004, p. 666). As well, from 1992 to 1997, the amount of certified organic cropland in the US more than doubled (Tafel et al, 2007, p.182 ). The main difference between organic and