DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - Avocados saw a 44% price increase this week in anticipation of a closure of the U.S.-Mexico Border. President Donald Trump threatened to close the border in an effort to curb illegal immigration, but the results of a closure could be devastating to consumers and businesses.
Jennifer Apperti, Manager of the Texas-Mexico Center at SMU, says roughly 91% of the avocados consumed in the United States are imported from Mexico. But avocados wouldn't be the only food affected.
"43 percent of the fruits and vegetables imported into the U.S. come from Mexico," Apperti said. "Sixty percent of those come through Texas. So we are the gateway for the rest of the United States."
Avocados wouldn't be the only produce affected by the closure. Blackberries are produced here in the United States, but not enough to meet demand so the majority of blackberries imported into the U.S. are from Mexico. Tomatoes would also see a rise in price or a shortage.
The 48,000 eating establishments in Texas would also face shortages. Apperti says the freight and transportation industry largely relies on the transporting produce to make money. Without produce to ship, 2.2 million transportation jobs in Texas could be at risk.