Israeli Plant Council Warns Consumers Against Buying Underripe Avocados

SadaNews Economy Translation - The current period, late July and early August, is a transitional season between "Red" avocado, the last variety of the previous season, and the early varieties of the new season. The Israeli Plant Council is warning consumers these days against buying underripe avocados, especially the "Galil" variety, which is trickling into markets and stores before it is ripe.

 The council explained, according to SadaNews Economy translation, that "Based on our previous experience, we recently contacted avocado farmers and marketers, and we have improved the timing and indicators of ripeness and harvesting to prevent underripe fruit from reaching the markets.

He added, "Unfortunately, a limited number of 'Galil' avocado farmers, who found themselves in financial distress, could not resist this temptation and are now marketing early fruit for sale, which will not ripen and will disappoint consumers. Therefore, we recommend not to buy 'Galil' avocados harvested before August 15, and we simultaneously urge these farmers to stop this practice immediately, as it primarily harms consumers and also harms fair avocado farmers, who are, of course, the vast majority of farmers." 

 Arna Sandel, the quality and standards director in the Israeli Plant Council's fruit sector, noted that "Despite the end of the season, a limited quantity of edible Red avocados is still available on the shelves. By the end of August, ripe Galil avocados will be available on the shelves, and starting from September 15, Etinger avocados will also be added. From November, several other varieties will be added - Puerta, Hass, Pinkerton, Arad, and others."

How can one distinguish between the varieties currently on the shelves?

Red Avocado: A round variety like a ball, with a hard, thick, and somewhat rough skin. This variety is harvested from mid-March and remains on the shelves until July.

Galil Avocado: This variety has elongated, smooth fruit, with a thin, shiny green skin, and begins to ripen at the end of August.