Mission Produce Imports Avocado Load from Jalisco, Mexico; Keith Barnard and Rigo Perez Comment
OXNARD, CA - This season, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) gave a new certification for avocados grown in Jalisco, Mexico, for import to the United States market. Many companies are now receiving their first loads from the region, and Mission Produce is one company getting ahead. The supplier has received its first load in a bid to continue meeting strong domestic demand.
“We are pleased to expand on our long-standing partnerships with Jalisco growers to bring an enhanced supply of high-quality avocados to the U.S.,” said Keith Barnard, Senior Vice President of Sales and Sourcing. “Jalisco has supported our growing distribution in export markets since 2009, so we are in an optimal position to capitalize on the region’s access to the U.S. and strengthen supply consistency for our U.S. customer base.”
According to a press release, more than 600 orchards across 8,000 hectares of avocados in Jalisco were formally certified by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The Association of Exporting Producers of Aguacate de Jalisco anticipates growers to initially export three-to-five thousand tons of Hass avocados to the U.S. weekly.
The majority of Mission’s avocado imports from Jalisco will reportedly be routed through the company’s mega distribution center in Laredo, Texas, to the rest of Mission’s domestic network.
“Fruit from Jalisco is of superb quality, the region is home to highly skilled growers, professionally managed farms, and high-producing trees,” said Rigo Perez, Director of Mexico Sourcing. “Additionally, Jalisco’s Mendez and Hass crops extend the season of avocados available to the U.S. by about six-to-eight weeks, so we look forward to leveraging the additional volume to complement our existing sourcing strategy in Michoacán.”
Barnard continued, stating, “After sourcing fruit from Jalisco for decades, we’re thrilled to be one of the first to introduce this premium product to the U.S. market. Avocados have become a staple of the U.S. diet, so increasing available supply supports further category growth.”
As consumers’ craving for green gold continues to increase, look to providers like Mission Produce for a steady stream of supplies.
