CHAO, PERU - Mission Produce has announced the company has exported the first-ever container of fresh avocados from Peru to China.
“China represents an important market for Peruvian avocados, so we welcome the fact that the MINAGRI, through the National Service of Agrarian Health (SENASA), has made efforts necessary to gain entrance for Peruvian fruit,” said Simon Gonzalez, General Manager of Mission’s avocado packing company.
Grown on Mission-owned ranches in Peru and packed at Mission’s Avocado Packing facility in Chao (La Libertad) Peru, the first shipment left the port of Paita and is expected to arrive at the Chinese port of Shanghai by mid-September. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAGRI) in Peru, significant export volumes will start hitting China’s market of 1.4 billion potential consumers in the near future.
“We are very pleased with the efforts of everyone involved in Peru to make this happen—from our growers, to packing and logistics, to the Peruvian governmental agencies that helped make this a reality,” said Steve Barnard, CEO of Mission.
According to a press release, Peru boasts large areas dedicated to avocado production along the coast in the region of La Libertad. Peruvian ranches owned by Mission include Arato, near Chao, and Beggie, near Viru, and are part of the total production of approximately 10,000 hectares. SENASA has reportedly certified 8,000 of the company’s hectares.
“It is a big step for China to open the protocol for Peruvian fruit because this gives China a true, year-round supply to compliment other avocado sources during the season. Mission is fortunate to have a trusted partner in China that matches our values and philosophy of doing business,” says Tommy Padilla, Mission’s Asia Sales Manager. “They reach the various marketing channels in China including supermarkets, fruit stands, push carts, farmer’s markets and small wet markets in all regions in China, not just the big cities of Beijing and Shanghai.”
In order to meet the challenge of growing the avocado business in China, Mission turned to Lantao, and its CEO John Wang.
“The Lantao team is from mainland China, so we understand the consumer market in China better than anyone in the fruit import business,” said Wang. “Our team came up with a comprehensive plan to reach the various marketing channels including using POP materials and an e-commerce platform on WeChat to help educate the consumers on the uses of avocados.”
As a distributor of fruit from seven regional offices throughout China, Wang and Lantao believe the company is doing a great job covering the first tier, second tier and even third-tier cities in China.
