For increased flexibility and to better serve its customers, Mission Produce recently opened a mega center in Laredo, TX. The grand opening was designed to celebrate the company’s first anniversary of its initial public offering on Oct. 1, 2020. “We’ve recently opened our new 262,000-square-foot mega center in Laredo, TX, which will support Port Laredo’s $1 billion worth of avocado imports,” said Denise Junqueiro, vice president of marketing and communications. “We strategically designed and positioned the mega center to facilitate the substantial incoming trade to the region, especially the

La Casa del Aguacate began years ago in Mexico selling top quality fresh avocados to the Mexican market and No. 2 fruit to processors for guacamole. About five years ago, the family-owned operation began selling to U.S. distributors and two years ago it launched its own sales and marketing department, selling its Mexican fruit directly to U.S. retailers, wholesalers and foodservice operators. Arturo Larios, CEO, recently explained the operation to The Produce News. His brother Alex Larios is the chief operating officer and runs the Mexico part of the deal from south of the border. The CEO

It’s no secret that avocados have become a favorite item of foodies and are being in utilized in ways much more diverse than a generation ago. Processed guacamole is apparently following suit. “A big trend in avocado and guacamole is usage beyond the dip,” said Jay Alley, vice president of sales and part owner of Fresh Innovations LLC., based in Rhome, TX. “Since avocadoes are creamy, delicious, and nutrient dense, consumers are getting creative on how to incorporate them into their everyday meals; from avocado toast for breakfast, to their sandwich or salad at lunch (instead of mayo or

Obed Sanchez, logistics and sales manager, had to pull himself away from his computer monitor in early October on the day The Produce News visited La Bonanza’s warehouse in Mission, TX, in the Rio Grande Valley. In front of him are six live TV screens of the operations in Mexico that keep him in contact with CEO Gustavo Rivas regarding the packing operations and products coming to the import office. “Vertical integration is the key to supply of Mexican avocados to the United States,” said Rivas from the Uruapan office in Mexico. “Consistency and quality come from direct sourcing with growers

WP Produce and its Desbry Tropical Avocado brand, has completed a major milestone toward its initiatives to increase sustainability in the Dominican Republic. "Our packing and shipping compound in the province of Bonao, which is the largest, state-of-the-art tropical avocado facility in the region, is now energy independent. Since June 2021, our new 20,000-kilowatt renewable solar power installation has been producing more than 100 percent of the electricity needed to power the facility," said Christopher Gonzalez, vice president of sales for WP Produce. "During peak solar production, our

Mission Produce Inc., a world leader in sourcing, producing and distributing fresh Hass avocados with additional offerings in mangos, announced the promotion of Denise Junqueiro to vice president of marketing and communications, reporting to Steve Barnard, CEO and founder. Junqueiro will drive Mission’s global marketing plans in concert with the executive committee and continue to play a pivotal role in Mission’s growth by directing the Mission Produce brand, media relations, global communications, and consumer and trade marketing. "Denise’s vision, dedication, ability to exceed expectations