#5 Fallbrook, CA used to be the Avacodo Capital of the world. But increasing cost of water made Fallbrook avocados too expensive.
From the San Diego Union Tribune, April 2014:
Just 10 years ago, there were nearly 30,000 acres of avocado trees growing in such places as Fallbrook, Valley Center, Bonsall and the San Pasqual and Pauma valleys.
Today that number has dwindled to between 18,000 and 22,000 acres, experts say, and the trend is expected to continue downward for the next couple years before stabilizing at around 15,000.
The big farmers — the ones with groves ranging from 40 to 800 acres — will survive as they keep investing in their business by replanting for higher density and upgrading to more efficient irrigation methods.
The good news is that some of the groves are being replaced by vineyards that produce some pretty good wine which will only get better as the vines become better established and the roots grow deeper.
Bad news is you may feel a pang of guilt as you dip your chip into your guacamole. |