Here’s the scoop: Avocado prices continue to dip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While wholesale avocado prices have come down nearly $20 for a 25-pound box after an early July spike<\/a>, the popular fruit still costs 80% more than this time last year, said David Maga\u00f1a, vice president and senior analyst at Rabobank based in Fresno, California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some restaurants have started charging more for guacamole or taking avocados off the menu.\u00a0Faux guacamole<\/a>\u00a0recipes made from Calabasas, a small Mexican squash, have been circulating on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n But despite the higher prices, National Avocado Day, held annually on July 31, hasn’t been canceled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chipotle Mexican Grill will add free guacamole on entree orders placed on its app and website Wednesday, a promotion that last year proved to be so popular that officials said\u00a0it “broke the internet<\/a>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The made-up holiday led Qdoba\u00a0Mexican Eats to start a\u00a0Change.org petition<\/a>\u00a0calling on its competitors to “make guacamole free of charge, not just for one day, but every day.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Qdoba, a fast-casual chain with more than 730 locations, is known for not charging extra for guacamole or queso daily at participating restaurants.\u00a0However, some have started charging a surcharge because of the increased prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sign at a Greenwood, Indiana, Qdoba where guac is usually free said “due to high avocado prices, we’re temporarily adding a $0.45 charge for guacamole. We appreciate your understanding.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Qdoba did not immediately respond for USA TODAY’s request for comment on how many locations are charging for guac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Adding guac to your meal should be free for everyone, everywhere. It\u2019s that simple. Why should a customer be penalized for making a meal more flavorful?,” Qdoba said on its\u00a0petition<\/a>.\u00a0“It may make dollars for our competitors, but it makes no sense to us. We’re proud to announce that our guac is free.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n During Chipotle’s July 23 earnings call, CEO Brian Niccol said: “the biggest wild card in terms of our margin potential is avocados.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The higher prices were partially offset by a menu price increase, Jack Hartung, Chipotle chief financial officer, said during the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAvocados is the inflation story that we\u2019re seeing and it\u2019s not really sustained inflation. It\u2019s more of a cyclical thing, it\u2019s a supply and demand out of balance right now,\u201d Niccol said. \u201cWe expect that to become more normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If prices continue to rise, it could lead restaurants to change menus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mission Taco Joint<\/a>, a small Missouri restaurant chain with six locations, uses about 150 cases with 48 avocados in each per week, said chef Jason Tilford, adding they usually see an increase in avocado prices once a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s something we\u2019ve gotten used to by now, so we just eat the cost because it\u2019s not fair to pass on to our guests,” Tilford said. In the event “that avocados got to a price range, we weren\u2019t comfortable with or became unavailable, we would temporarily take them off the menu.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wholesale prices of mid-sized avocados from Mexico is around $65 for a 25-pound box, down from $84.25 the first week of July, Maga\u00f1a said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOver the next month or so, price levels will depend on how fast California shipments decline, and also on how fast shipments out of Mexico continue to ramp up,\u201d Maga\u00f1a said. \u201cAfter September, the U.S. avocado market will rely heavily on shipments from Michoac\u00e1n, so any potential supply disruption in Mexico would soon impact prices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are discounts and freebies available at participating locations Wednesday unless otherwise noted. Offers can vary and most times are offered while supplies last. To be on the safe side, always check with your closest location before heading out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Carl\u2019s Jr.<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>The fast-food chain announced it has a new spin on avocado toast \u2013 the Guacamole Double Cheeseburger. The new menu item is available for $2.99 through Oct. 8 and pricing and participation varies by location.\u00a0On Wednesday there will be a National Avocado Day\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0post\u00a0about a contest for the chance to win a trip for two to \u201cThe Ultimate Avocado Brunch\u201d at a Carl\u2019s Jr. location in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chipotle<\/a>: <\/strong>Get free guac on any entr\u00e9e purchased in Chipotle’s app or website Wednesday. No promo code is needed and this offer is only on digital orders for delivery or order ahead. Also when you join Chipotle Rewards<\/a> get a reward for free guacamole and chips after you make your first purchase. Join at www.chipotle.com\/rewards<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chosen Foods<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>The avocado oil brand is giving away an avocado grove\u00a0in Jalisco, Mexico for its National Avocado Day promotion. Or you can choose to take $5,000.\u00a0Enter by 11:59 p.m. PST Wednesday at\u00a0www.avocadoempire.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Del Taco:<\/a> <\/strong>With the restaurant’s app Wednesday, get a buy-one-get-one-free deal on the Beyond Avocado Taco. Download the app at\u00a0www.deltaco.com\/app<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El Pollo Loco<\/a>: <\/strong>Get free chips and guacamole Wednesday with the online purchase of any regular-priced Family Dinner with coupon code GUAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just Salad<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Buy one Avocado Dreamsicle smoothie and get one free Wednesday at all U.S. locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rubio\u2019s Coastal Grill<\/a>:<\/strong> Get free chips and guacamole with any order Wednesday with a coupon at www.rubios.com\/coupons\/national-avocado-day<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tijuana Flats<\/a>:<\/strong>\u00a0Get a free small side of guacamole with the purchase of an adult entree\u00a0Wednesday when you mention the offer. In-store only.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
National Avocado Day deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n