OXNARD, CA - Come Cinco de Mayo, I always expect the produce department to be flush with avocados and mangos. The opportunities are not to be missed for both retailers and consumers, resulting in a boon for sales and the basket. Both categories win at the register during this time of year, as Gary Clevenger, Managing Member, Freska Produce International, shares with me.

“Cinco de Mayo stands out as a significant event for produce sales, particularly for mangos and avocados. In 2024, the week of Cinco de Mayo saw the sale of 12.4 million pounds of mangos, marking a 25 percent increase compared to the prior week. Similarly, avocados experienced a notable surge in demand during this period,” Gary describes. “The holiday’s emphasis on Mexican cuisine drives consumers to purchase ingredients like mangos and avocados for dishes such as guacamole, salsas, and tacos.”

Gary continues by discussing that, moreover, when retailers cross-merchandise mangos and avocados together, this overlap presents an excellent opportunity for cross-promotions, enhancing overall sales during the Cinco holiday.

“Freska Produce International plays a pivotal role in assisting retail partners in capitalizing on the Cinco de Mayo demand,” the produce veteran tells me. “We have the supplies to help our partners with year-round options; they can count on us to have the supplies to promote—all this allows us to have consistent quality and readiness, essential for promotional campaigns. No need to mix suppliers' product when you can have one consistent supply they can count on.”

That quality that Gary mentions remains a strong focus across Freska’s mango and avocado offerings. For mangos, the current harvest from Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico, is yielding larger-sized fruit, including Ataulfo (Honey) mangos. Sourcing from other regions, however, is providing medium to smaller fruit.

“Supplies are transitioning to Central Mexico into Nayarit and Sinaloa, with varieties of Tommy Atkins and Ataulfos. Soon we will have Kents and towards mid-August Large Keitts out of Northern Mexico,” Gary states. “We source mangos year-round from regions including Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador.”

Freska’s avocado program encompasses sourcing from California, Mexico, and Peru. Currently in peak production in California, Freska is enhancing its spring-summer program with Peruvian avocados. The integration of advanced ripening rooms ensures that avocados reach optimal ripeness, ready for immediate consumption.

“In avocados, the implementation of a state-of-the-art sizer allows Freska to deliver fruit that meets specific sizing requirements, ensuring consistency and quality for retail promotions,” Gary shares. “Retailers can confidently promote mangos and avocados during peak demand periods.”

While the fruit most definitely speaks for itself, packaging and merchandising will always elevate the value of these top categories. Freska offers its partners customizable packaging options, including clamshells, bags, and standard boxes, facilitating attractive in-store displays.