These pictures tell a painful story many avocado farmers are facing today. You have invested years growing the trees, only for thieves to harvest the fruits before you can enjoy the premium prices.
For me, this is no longer just a theft issue—it is a threat to the avocado industry.
This week I made a difficult decision. I have started releasing some of my avocado fruits earlier than planned.
Normally, I prefer selling from August when prices are better and fruits are more mature. However, increasing avocado theft in our region has made it difficult to wait. Despite reporting several cases to the relevant authorities, little action has been taken, and farmers continue to count losses.
The sad part is that thieves harvest indiscriminately. They don't care about maturity, quality, market standards, or the future of the tree. They only care about quick money, leaving genuine farmers carrying the losses.
As farmers, we are forced to choose between:
❌ Waiting for better prices and risking theft.
✅ Harvesting early and protecting what we have worked for.
I know I am not alone in this challenge.
How are you dealing with avocado theft in your area?
Are you harvesting earlier than usual?
Have you organized community surveillance?
Are local authorities helping?
What solutions have worked for you?
Let's share ideas and experiences because if we don't protect our orchards, we risk discouraging many farmers from investing in avocado production.