Why Are New Zealanders Stealing Hundreds of Avocados?
A shortage has given rise to a new class of criminals: Kiwis stealing avocados.
Orlando Sierra/AFP/Getty
New Zealand is in crisis because its avocados are so popular.
The fruit is extremely expensive in New Zealand right now, due to a poor season last year and rapidly rising demand. As a result, the country is facing a massive wave of avocado thefts.
Thieves have taken to stealing avocados from New Zealand’s orchards, sometimes hundreds at a time, in the middle of the night. Just since January, The Guardian reports, there have been almost 40 large-scale thefts.
The heists are dangerous, because avocados still on the trees are often covered in pesticides harmful to human skin. But apparently the avocado bandits find it worth it.
“These stolen avocados can carry risks,” Waihi police sergeant Aaron Fraser told The Guardian. “But with the prices so high at the moment, the potential for profit is a strong inducement for certain individuals.”
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.