Avocado production and sale: a trivial peripheral industry or the most important segment of the shadow business?
Rubrics: SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES
Authors:
1.
Volga State University of Telecommunications and Informatics
(starshiy prepodavatel')
2.
Samara State University of Economics
3.
Samara National Research University named after Academician S. P. Korolev (Samara University)
student
Russian Federation
student
Russian Federation
Type:
Article
Pages:
from 223
to 232
Status:
Published
Received:
24.02.2026
Accepted:
04.03.2026
Published:
04.03.2026
Subject area:
UDC 330
Language:
Russian
Keywords:
avocado, shadow economy, drug trafficking, money laundering, transnational smuggling, industry criminalization, government regulation, product traceability, phytosanitary standards, international cooperation
Abstract:
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the integration of avocado production and distribution into the shadow economy. It explores the mechanisms of this agricultural product's use in illegal activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational smuggling. The analysis demonstrates the dualistic nature of the market environment, where legitimate consumer demand coexists with criminogenic factors. Particular attention is paid to the correlation between the level of criminalization of the industry and the effectiveness of government regulation in exporting countries. The conclusion substantiates the need to implement end-to-end traceability systems, harmonize phytosanitary standards, and consolidate intergovernmental efforts to de-shadow the industry.
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the integration of avocado production and distribution into the shadow economy. It explores the mechanisms of this agricultural product's use in illegal activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational smuggling. The analysis demonstrates the dualistic nature of the market environment, where legitimate consumer demand coexists with criminogenic factors. Particular attention is paid to the correlation between the level of criminalization of the industry and the effectiveness of government regulation in exporting countries. The conclusion substantiates the need to implement end-to-end traceability systems, harmonize phytosanitary standards, and consolidate intergovernmental efforts to de-shadow the industry.
Keywords:
avocado, shadow economy, drug trafficking, money laundering, transnational smuggling, industry criminalization, government regulation, product traceability, phytosanitary standards, international cooperation
avocado, shadow economy, drug trafficking, money laundering, transnational smuggling, industry criminalization, government regulation, product traceability, phytosanitary standards, international cooperation
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2. World Bank Group. Vsemirnyy Bank. [Elektronnyy resurs]. URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/home (data obrascheniya: 14.09.2025).
3. Gerasimov, V. V. Social'no-ekonomicheskie izmeneniya v usloviyah politicheskih krizisov i konfliktov / V. V. Gerasimov, A. A. Korolev, E. O. Gerasimova // Vestnik Samarskogo municipal'nogo instituta upravleniya. – 2023. – № 4. – S. 35-44.
4. Kudryashov, A. A. Vliyanie geopoliticheskoy obstanovki na transformaciyu neokolonial'noy sistemy / A. A. Kudryashov, A. A. Korolev // Ekonomicheskie otnosheniya. – 2023. – T. 13, № 4. – S. 735-750. – DOIhttps://doi.org/10.18334/eo.13.4.119283.
