Mexican Hass Avocado Prices Jump 34 Percent After Trump Threatens to Close Border
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Hass Avocado prices surged more than they have in nearly a decade on Tuesday after President Trump threatened to completely shut down the southern border and block trade between official ports of entry, Bloomberg reports. The price on Hass from Michoacan reportedly jumped 34 percent, the biggest one-day spike in price since April 13, 2009. Mexican avocados reportedly account for 75 to 80 percent of American consumption, with California avocados making up only 16 percent of consumption. Earlier Tuesday, Trump told reporters that a shutdown that would curb U.S. trade with Mexico would have a “negative impact” on the economy—but insisted that security was more important than trade. Trump later appeared to ease up on his shutdown warning, saying he was happy with measures Mexico has taken in recent days and that he might only close “large sections of the border” if he deems it necessary.