PERU - One of the most important components of my role as a trade news writer is to tell the inspiring stories of those on the ground floor bringing fresh produce to market. As grower stories become a heightened focus for both our industry and the consumer, I recently was given the opportunity to explore Mission Produce’s Peruvian mango operation and the key players who make it possible. Edgar Bocanegra Zecevich, Agricultural Production Manager for Mission Produce Peru, shared a glimpse of this powerful program.

How do you prepare for the mango harvest?

“Mission's Peruvian mango season is just getting started, and we are gearing up to meet global market demand. Our team spends the entire year carefully planning, assessing cultivation needs, and monitoring the crop’s progress to ensure a successful harvest. We begin the season with proper pruning and a robust crop nutrition and health management strategy. Once the crop begins to bear fruit, we focus on protecting the fruit until harvest.”

Can you tell me more about Mission Produce's methods for growing the best fruit?

“With a passion for excellence, we are committed to efficiency and continuous improvement. It’s important to be open-minded and implement new ideas that can improve the quality of our fruit. We have an industry-leading team with extensive knowledge and experience.”

How do you grow high-quality fruit and ensure the quality of mangos?

“To grow high-quality fruit, you must be committed to the details—and our entire team is greatly committed. We travel to the warm land of Olmos from around the country because we are passionate about growing the World’s Finest Mangos™. We are a family that takes care of each other, and in the same spirit, we take care of the quality of our mangos.

Our Agricultural Quality Assurance team is responsible for agronomic management, good agricultural practices, and integrated crop management, all necessary ingredients to grow consistent, quality mangos.”

Why do you like working for Mission Produce?

“Working at Mission Produce is truly special. The company’s corporate values are deeply embedded in its DNA, and I enjoy being part of a team that lives by these principles and continually strengthens its organizational culture.

I believe that our strong culture, combined with the continuous technical training we provide, plays a key role in developing our employees and equipping them to overcome challenges. Our team has everything it needs to produce the World’s Finest Mangos™ and meet the global standards for size, color, texture, food safety, and ultimately a delicious eating experience.”

More insights from the experts behind this comprehensive mango program are on the way, so be on the lookout for our next update.

*This interview has been translated from Spanish to English.