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Holy guacamole! Avocado desperados hit New Zealand

WELLINGTON — New Zealand avocado growers have reported a spate of thefts after rising prices caused a seasonal shortage, leaving guacamole lovers choking on their dip.

Avocados in baskets during a harvest. Photo: AFP

Avocados in baskets during a harvest. Photo: AFP

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WELLINGTON — New Zealand avocado growers have reported a spate of thefts after rising prices caused a seasonal shortage, leaving guacamole lovers choking on their dip.

Avocado prices have doubled in recent months, reaching NZ$6.00 (S$5.70) each in some supermarkets, prompting a number of Mexican restaurants in Wellington to take guacamole off the menu.

Criminals have been quick to spot an opportunity, raiding avocado groves in the Bay of Plenty area on the North Island to meet black market demand.

NZ Avocado marketing manager Bevan Jelley said the thefts were large-scale and brazen.

"We have reports of people driving utes (pickup trucks) into orchards and filling up the entire back tray," he told Fairfax New Zealand.

"Growers are finding blankets and duvets in their orchards with piles of avocados in them (where) thieves have picked and been interrupted."

But local police sergeant Aaron Fraser said buyers should think twice before spreading stolen avocados on their toast.

"They are unripe, some have been sprayed recently and they may still carry toxins on the skin," he told reporters.

NZ Avocado was not immediately available for comment but an industry source said the crime wave was set to be short-lived, with a new crop due in September-October.

"Then we can all turn ourselves green eating guacamole," he told AFP.

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