Shopping the World for Avocados

Because of an ever-growing demand for avocados, providing the market with a consistent supply of quality fruit was something that California could not do alone. Mission recognized this fact in 1984 when it became the first US company to import avocados from Chile. A year later in 1985, Mission was first to import avocados from Mexico. Today, we can add New Zealand, Peru and South Africa to the list of countries that provide us a source for avocados.

And with crop seasons unique to each country of origin, there is an adequate overlap of fruit availability during the calendar year. As avocado consumption continues to grow Mission vows to be the key player in the global sourcing marketplace.

With over 61,000 acres of avocados, California is home to 95% of the U.S. crop. From San Luis Obispo County in central California to the Mexican border, there are about 6,000 growers, who produced over 300 million pounds in the 2005 season. San Diego County itself produced 45% of California’s crop to earn the title of “Avocado Capitol of the Nation.” Avocados are grown year-round in California thanks to the complimentary micro-climate along the state's coast.

The season for the California Hass runs from January to October with the best eating quality during the latter months. California of course, is home to Mission Produce and we have a definite allegiance to the fine growers who provide us fruit. Mission has a firm commitment to its grower base and we continually strive to provide our growers with support and information to aid in their efforts. Unlike any other avocado handler, we work hard to develop long-term, trusting relationships that are mutually beneficial.

In 1984 Mission Produce founded Mission de Mexico in Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico. This state-of-the-art packing facility was needed to give Mission a second supply source for fruit, enabling the company to offer avocados year round. Today, Mission de Mexico is a primary source of fruit – exporting to the United States, Asia, Canada, and Europe while also supplying avocados to Mission’s processing subsidiary, Simmisco Foods.

Mission de Mexico employs around 700 people and is a major contributor to the local economy. Mexico represents the world’s largest producer of avocados with over 300,000 acres of producing trees. The Mexican season runs year round with peak eating quality occurring from December through the following June.

In 1984 Mission became the first U.S. avocado handler to import fruit from Chile, and once again, it was a supply issue. To be in the marketplace year round, Mission needed another fruit source once the California season ended. Mexico at that time was not approved for U.S. exportation. Each season, from August through February, Hass avocados from Chile embellish the U.S. marketplace. With a total of 65,000 producing acres, Chilean Hass grows in a climate similar to California. With warm days and coastal breezes, the avocado quality is excellent, year after year. The peak eating period for Chilean Hass is November through February.

Our Chilean friends have been with us since the beginning. Years of successful seasons have been mutually beneficial to Mission and the fine companies with which we continue to have solid business relationships.

New Zealand has been growing avocados for the last 30 years and during their peak season some 10 million avocados are eaten by New Zealanders. Mission looked to New Zealand in 1997 to supplement the Chilean supply into the U.S. during the California off-season. New Zealand’s 10,000 producing acres also enjoy a similar micro climate to that of California. The season runs from September through December with peak eating quality in the latter months.

Our New Zealand friends remain loyal since the beginning. Many successful seasons have been mutually beneficial to Mission and the fine companies with which we continue to have solid business relationships.

Peru first planted Hass avocados in the late 1990’s and was soon on Mission’s radar as another significant source for fruit. As these first plantings were being developed, Mission made initial contacts with Camposol, one of the largest agribusinesses in Peru. At that time, Camposol’s main market for avocados was Europe. In 2001 Mission became partners with Camposol in anticipation of future business endeavors. By 2004, with Camposol as a partner, Mission began shipping Peruvian fruit to Canada, becoming the first U.S. company to do so. Today, there are over 18,000 acres of Hass avocados in Peru. The climate in Peru is somewhat Mediterranean but a little different from that in Chile. It is known as the dry tropics because it receives very little rain. Most of the water for the orchards comes from the Andes Mountains. Because the area is so close to the equator, crops tend to grow year round.

The regular Hass crop season is from May through mid-September and the peak eating season is from June thru August. We salute our partner, Camposol, and look forward to many future endeavors beneficial to both companies, the industry and consumers worldwide.