With the buzz from Sunday’s Super Bowl LVIII lingering, we want to take a moment to shed some light on the real stars of game day (No, not the four-time Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs), the food. More specifically, avocados and beer from Mexico. While millions of viewers across the nation sat down for the showdown between Kansas City and San Francisco, the journey of these beloved party staples from Mexican farms to American living rooms is a story worth celebrating.
The Super Bowl isn’t just a game; it’s a cultural phenomenon with an entire food culture standing beside it. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are projected to spend a staggering $17.3 billion on Super Bowl-related expenses this year alone, a testament to the magnitude of this event. Behind the scenes, a complex supply chain ensures everything from chicken wings to avocados arrives on time and in abundance.
Avocado consumption, particularly for guacamole, skyrockets during Super Bowl Sunday, with estimates suggesting that the game accounts for approximately 20% of annual avocado sales in the United States. Mexico, the world’s largest avocado producer, plays a pivotal role in meeting this demand, supplying 81% of avocados consumed in the U.S. In the weeks leading up to the big game, over 6,000 truckloads of avocados make their way across the border, with Texas ports of entry in Laredo and Pharr serving as crucial gateways.
Similarly, Mexican beer has become a fan favorite for Super Bowl celebrations. With annual exports totaling around $5 billion, brands like Modelo Especial and Corona have become synonymous with game day. Modelo Especial, in particular, made headlines in mid-2023 when it surpassed Bud Light as the top-selling beer in the U.S. market. From the bustling port of Eagle Pass, Texas, millions of cases of Mexican beer make their way to eager consumers, solidifying their status as must-have beverages for Super Bowl Sunday.
According to Instacart’s “Snacktime Report: The Big Game Cravings,” Modelo Especial and Corona Extra rank among the top 10 most popular beers on game day, underscoring their enduring appeal among football fans nationwide.
From the avocado farms of Michoacán to the breweries of Mexico City, these imports from south of the border add an extra layer of flavor and festivity to America’s biggest sporting event. So, when you sit down and cheer on your favorite team, take a moment to appreciate the journey of your snacks and raise a glass to the flavors of Mexico that every year make Super Bowl Sunday a fiesta to remember.
