http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41635008

http://www.businessinsider.com/mexican-farmers-in-michoacan-...

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-01-30/news/080130007...

It has now become a joke to say "échale aguacate", (throw in some avocado) to express something like "go all out" or "be a big spender".

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmUQfURW8AAYQpY.jpg

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r8100111.html

http://www.hassavocadoboard.com/retail/volume-and-price-data...

(page is javascript heavy)

They crossed 1.5 2017 dollars back then too.

I can't find accurate avocado prices worldwide, but the soaring prices over the last decade or so are easily attestable in Mexico, or at least their effects are. I think the prices have always been high in the US due to tariffs and transportation costs. So perhaps the prices haven't changed much, but the demand sure has.

It's worth noting that the 'smashed avo on toast' meme originated in Australia. It was a tongue-in-cheek jab at millennials who complain of being priced out of the property market but still have the temerity to visit cafes regularly.

Otherwise, damn, it sucked to be Irish...

Good bread is key, I like olive sourdough or something chewy with grain. Layer of avocado, layer of hummus, sprinkle feta cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce on the side as a “chaser” and... yum.

I guess that’s “cultural” in that it’s just adding avocado to a Greek thing. I’d guess that’s the story of how a lot of people got into various new produce... add it to the familiar.

Avocados have become very popular in the low-carb/paleo/"health" community, alongside coconut oil, and various other trending foods.

I don't think that people have been lacking the knowledge to put avocado on toast until a meme about millennials never being able to buy a house due to spending too much money on avocado on toast.

Also, I'd read that last joke as more like a "guac is extra" joke (referencing Chipotle) in American culture, than anything about avocado production - in fact a Google Images search for "guac is extra" brings up the same dude tossing the same bills: http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/bitch-i-kn...

The joke in Mexican culture is about Mexican culture because avocados are becoming more expensive everywhere in Mexico, not just in some restaurant chain. Mexicans are genuinely starting to becoming unable to afford paying for avocado. The only reason the joke works in Spanish, (e.g. give me some premium gasoline and smear some avocado on it) is because a staple food is getting out of reach.

Add some red onion, tomato, salt&pepper, and you have one of my favorite memes - lunch.

Another thing is a system of "taxation", narco gangs put on these people. They have to pay the taxman from the state, as well as protection money to the rackets.

For a great documentary on this topic (this and how the people are trying to defend themselvs) I can point you to "Cartel Land" -- available on Netflix.

At this point, cartels want to control territory to prevent rival cartels from controlling territory. Less drug gang more fiefdom

A bit like the tax authorities in any country, but even more callous and without public scrutiny.

And you are right, that is exactly what all tax authorities do. It's important to get those political realities right.

The Italian Mafia both in NY and Italy have done that. Escobar did it. Al Capone did it. Etc. One can certainly debate their reasoning for doing it of course (eg buying goodwill so they can continue their crime spree, set up an underdog appeal and so on).

Source: [1]My father is from the Tancitaro town area. [2]https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/25/world/americas/mexico-pre...