Avocado giant Mission Produce has launched a year-round mango sales programme.
The US-headquartered company will draw on its ripening expertiseanddistribution network to deliver mangoes to customers around the world.
The programme willcomplement Mission’s work in the avocado category, according to Steve Barnard, chief executive and founder of Mission Produce.
“Mangos offer a long runway with a lot of opportunity –as thenumber one consumed fruit in the world,adding mangos to our portfolio is a natural addition as we expand our footprint worldwide,without losing focus on avocados,” Barnard explained.
“Mangosaretypicallyoff-season from avocados, so thiscomplementaryprogramme createsa uniquesynergy within ourinternational farmingbusiness.”
Stephen Fink, Mission’s vice president of North American sales, said the company is in a prime position for the expansion push.
“Mission currently owns 300ha of mangosin Peruand is on track to source additional fruit fromotherpremier growing regions,” Fink explained.
“We began our original mango programme a few years ago during a seasonal window to keep our workforce employed year-round. We’ve seen increasing demand from our customers, andthe impressiveresponse to our current mango programmeindicates we are ready togrowinto the mango market.”
PatrickDueirehas joined Mission as director of mangos. Dueire brings more than 20 years of international experience in growing, shipping and distributingthe fruitin the US and Europe.
His most recent appointment was with Dayka& Hackett. In 2016, Dueire was appointed as a memberofthe National Mango Board.
“Patrick is a strategic hire to complement our avocado expertise with significant capabilities in the mango industry,” Fink said. “We are confident we will be able to capitalise on rising opportunities to provide high quality mangos and continue world class service for our customers,without losing focus onourbelovedsuperfood –the avocado.”
