Avocado prices may put a dent in your Cinco de Mayo celebration budget this year

Grocery shoppers are likely to find a shortage of avocados with each one selling for $2 or more.

The price has more than doubled since January.

If guacamole is what customers crave it may cost them more to make at home than to buy at local restaurants that haven’t changed their prices.

Local growers said they are dealing with salt and mineral buildup in the soil from years of drought conditions.

Despite recent rains they have a smaller crop this year.

They also have international competition.

Kennth Doty is the president of Ellwood Ranch, Inc. He grows avocados and lemons.

” California can no longer supply can’t even come close to supplying demand and so now we are reacting to market forces and supply coming out of mex so they have a short crop we have a short crop and the price is out of sight. It doesn’t make up for price, lack of volume so even thought you are paying $2 a piece for nice looking fruit in the store it isn’t helping me keep my head above water,” said Doty.

The fruit known for its healthy fats is considered the staple of Cinco de Mayo celebrations commemorating the Mexico’s victory over French forces in 1862.

It is not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day in September.

More Guacamole will be consumed on Cinco de Mayo than any other day of the year.