Avocado, The

Although the avocado has been cultivated and consumed for more than 9000 years in itsnative Latin America, world production and trade have only developed over the past fewdecades, and now exceed 3.5 million tonnes. The avocado is now widely traded between warmer and colder countries as a result of theglobal community becoming increasingly aware of its versatility and nutritional value. Forthe past decade, the global avocado industry has been going through a period of rapidtechnological change and innovation. The dietary value of 'the most nutritious of all fruit' isalso receiving more attention.