OXNARD, CA - Mission Produce recently made the headlines with an exciting celebration for its 40th anniversary, marking the occasion with the launch of its latest campaign, Here for Good. Now, more valuable insights are in store as the company shares a closer look at the current mango and avocado markets.
“Our global network enables us to supply high-quality mangos year-round,” says Brooke Becker, Vice President of North American Retail. “We leverage our vertical integration in Peru and international growing partnerships to access the top mango varieties from premium growing regions around the world. With 10 state-of-the-art ripening facilities in key markets across the United States, our ability to supply ripe, fresh mangos to customer specifications is unique and competitive.”
The supplier’s prowess in providing delicious, ripe mangos is a key benefit for its buy-side partners, as having ripe and ready-to-eat fruit is a game changer for the category.
According to Mission Produce’s 2022 Avocado Intel Survey, mango consumption typically increases in the New Year due to increased availability and promotional windows. With plentiful volumes of Kent mangos from Peru arriving on the East and West Coasts, retailers have a prime opportunity to tap into this uptick in demand. Quality out of Peru is high, and the fruit is ripening nicely throughout the supplier’s U.S. distribution network. As Brooke tells me, the Peruvian crop is anticipated to last until late March, overlapping with the expected start of Mexico’s mango harvest.
“Over two-thirds of mango purchases occur on impulse, so it’s advantageous to cross-promote ripe mangos in displays with bananas, citrus, and avocados,” Brooke advises as I ask her about key merchandising strategies to drive sales.
The majority of avocado volume to the U.S. is coming from Mexico, with limited volumes coming from Colombia. The market is currently stable with plentiful volumes arriving from Mexico week-over-week, arming retailers for strong cross-promotions with avocados and mangos.
“According to industry figures, the 2022–23 Mexican avocado crop is expected to be approximately 20 percent higher than the previous season,” Brooke shares. “Avocados from Mexico are presenting high in quality with a balanced size curve across all sizes. Volumes are hitting record-high levels, and with the current market pricing, retailers can expect strong opportunities for promotions.”
Backed by exclusive market insights, ANUK will continue to bring you the latest merchandising strategies across the produce department, so stay tuned.
