Robert Flick, an American who committed much of his career to international aid and development, now runs an 80-acre diversified farm -- Finca El Milagro -- in the Andean foothills near Ibarra, Ecuador.

He and Bachi, his Ecuadoran wife, raise avocados among their crops. 

This Episode of The Food Disruptors gains a perspective on the exploding U.S. market for avocados from afar. 

Finca El Milagro represents a prototype of global avocado production, much of which remains highly fractionated in the hands of small-farm operators.

The marketing and distribution of avocados occurs through larger entities, often growers' associations or packagers. 

As an American farming abroad, Robert Flick has a distinctive take on the development of American avocado varieties, including the Hass, which he grows.

Important as is guacamole to U.S. consumers on Super Bowl Sunday and Cinco de Mayo, other big markets for avocados are also increasing their appetites for the delicious green fruit from Latin American growers, including Japan and China. 

Have you ever eaten frozen avocados? Are you sure?

Vast quantities of U.S. and global avocado consumption comes in the form of avocado pulp packaged in squeezable plastic bags.

The pulp is frozen for shipment and storage. When ready to use, it is defrosted and squished out of the bag through a plastic spigot onto your fast-food wrap or burger.

Quick California Roll, anyone?