Chipotle Mexican Grill announced Autocado, an avocado-processing cobotic prototype that cuts, cores and peels avocados before they are hand mashed to create the restaurant's famous guacamole. The prototype, developed in collaboration with Vebu, is currently being tested at the Chipotle Cultivate Center in Irvine, CA. Autocado's Origin Story Vebu worked closely with Certified Training Managers from Chipotle's restaurants to analyze the company's preparation process and identify tasks that are time consuming and less favorable among crew members. Chipotle currently has individuals dedicated to

Mission Produce Inc. has a twofold approach to maintain supply reliability and quality amid the Mexican avocado crop transition: 1) leverage its owned Peruvian supply to complement Mexican size availability, and 2) lean into its mastery in the art of ripening to expertly ripen fruit at various maturity levels. “At Mission, we offer several competitive advantages to our customers as part of our commitment to world-class service,” said Brooke Becker, vice president of sales. “Our stability of supply coupled with our innovative, avocado-specific ripening infrastructure positions us to provide a

GLC Cerritos, a premium sustainable grower, packer and shipper of fresh Hass avocados, announced the availability of its Mexican summer avocado program. Due to its vertical integration, sustainable practices and key location in the Jalisco region of Mexico, GLC can offer high-quality fresh Hass avocados during these key summer months. Typically during July, August and September, importers, retailers, foodservice operators and wholesalers must source volumes from outside North America. Now with GLC, customers can stay sourced with high-quality Mexican avocados year-round. “We believe excellence

Pharr, TX-based Villita Avocados Inc. was preparing to receive its first load of U.S.-bound avocados from the Mexican state of Jalisco in late June, which will help the longtime company double its volume. “Villita has been a grower and a fully integrated importer of Hass avocados from Mexico for the past 30 years,” said Executive Vice President Rob Ybarra. “We are a family-owned company and one of the top five U.S. importers of Mexican avocados.” He noted that industry veteran Alfredo Rodriguez Sr. serves as CEO with his two children – Alfredo Rodriguez Jr. as chief financial officer and Laura

At the conclusion of each season, professional sports leagues select a most valuable player, recognizing an individual whose talent and dedication rose above all others. So it is only fitting that Avocados from Peru is a prime candidate for this summer’s “MVP,” or “Most Valuable Palta” (“avocado” in the vernacular of Peru and other South American nations). After all, each summer Peru fills a vital role in providing a supply of the world’s most beloved superfood while other origins are between peak production periods. Unlike most other commodity boards, the Peruvian Avocado Commission’s (PAC)

Westfalia Fruit started its Peruvian avocado season with supply available now through mid-September. The company began exporting Peruvian avocados in 2016 and is now the second-largest exporter, with a presence in 15 regions across the country and a growing area spanning over 4,600 hectares. Westfalia operates four avocado nurseries in Peru in addition to a brand-new state-of-the-art packinghouse in Canete, located in southern Lima. “We operate four experimental and teaching orchards located in strategic areas across Peru,” said David Fausset, business development director at Westfalia Fruit.