The theft of avocados is causing headaches amongst growers, who have been denouncing numerous robberies in different cultivation areas of Tenerife for several years. One of the producers affected, currently no longer in the island, warned of the fact that thieves put up for sale products with consumers unaware of their origin, which poses a clear risk to their health.
These robberies have been carried out in different agricultural areas of the island, mainly in La Matanza, Santa Cruz, Güímar, La Orotava, Buenavista del Norte or Arona, among others. According to the spokesperson of those affected, who are working on the creation of the first Association of Avocado Producers with the goal of organising and better defending the sector, the thieves are mostly stealing the avocados in order to sell them at a lower price on the market. This is causing notable economic losses to local growers.
The cultivation of avocados in the Canaries is carried out on more than 1,400 hectares, so the crop has an increasing importance for the economy of the Islands. These same sources told that, over the last two years, they have reported the theft of avocados worth over 35,000 Euro. The number of robberies increases during the Christmas period.
The group of producers affected pointed out that purchasing stolen products is a crime. Inspections are constantly carried out in such stores, making it necessary to prove the origin of the acquired products by keeping the corresponding invoices.
Source: laopinion.es
