OXNARD, CA - These days, nearly every kitchen I walk into has a spot reserved for avocados, and almost every restaurant menu I see boasts the universally loved category in some of the most memorable ways. With demand continuing to grow and supply networks being tapped worldwide, I turned to my friends at Mission Produce for an update on the state of avocados today and the opportunities that are ready for the taking.

“Year over year, industry demand for and consumption of avocados continues to increase. Currently, there is an ample supply of quality fruit available in the market—meaning retail and wholesalers can capitalize on the increased value avocados bring to the basket,” Denise Junqueiro, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, shares with me. “In fact, grocery baskets with avocados are worth an average of 26 dollars more than those without, and Mission is perfectly positioned with programs and to value-added services to help retailers boost sales.”

At present, Mission is harvesting and sourcing from premium growing regions in Mexico, California, and Peru, and just wrapped its season in Colombia. With its finger on the pulse of the global market, Mission is reporting that while industry demand is up, so are the challenges.

“The market dynamic this year is slightly different due to global delays on containers, which are delaying Peruvian fruit at ports on the East Coast for the entire industry. The industry is also seeing a smaller crop size in both California and Mexico, however, Mission offers a variety of programs in order to optimize sizing and keep fruit moving through the market, as well as keep customers supplied with fresh, ripe Hass avocados,” Denise says.

With sizing posing a challenge in the market as it always seems to, Denise adds, Mission has developed strategic programs to tap a range of avocado sizes as profit generators for retailers and foodservice operators.

“With foodservice specifically, we developed a size interchangeability chart, which serves as a guide on how to predict the yield and how to slice, dice, mash, or puree different avocado sizes compared to previously used sizes, in order to enable greater flexibility based on inventory and availability,” Denise tells me.

Covering the entire buy-side spectrum, she shifts to the supermarket.

“For retail, in addition to offering Minis and Jumbos, we have our Size Minded program, which encourages retailers to carry a two-size bulk selection to take advantage of fruit coming off the tree and offer shoppers different size options for all Avoccasions.”

With August getting underway, Mission is encouraging retailers to strategically focus on the avocado category’s incremental growth and potential to increase overall basket size. This can be achieved by running promotions and leveraging various programs. And Mission has quite a few.

With an advanced global network that spans through North America, South America, China, Europe, and South Africa, combined with 12 forward distribution centers with avocado-specific ripening infrastructure, and four packing facilities in strategic positions—Mission cannot be overlooked as a major partner in the buy-side’s avocado success.

Mission Produce