The Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) and producer association APEAM have elected the new board of directors for Avocados From Mexico (AFM) for 2015/16.
Mike Browne from Calavo has been named chairman, Antonio Villaseñor from ViFruit vice chairman and Ricardo Vega from Puruepecha becomes treasurer.
“As we continue to grow the Avocados From Mexico brand, it is critically important to bring together the best minds from APEAM and MHAIA to continue our market expansion,” said Alvaro Luque, president of Avocados From Mexico. “Our new board of directors has the experience, vision and strategic focus to produce, import and promote the only avocados available year round.”
The other members of the board are: Martin Medoza, Ramón Paz, Gary Caloroso, Armando Lopez and Ron Campbell.
In announcing the 2015-16 board members, Luque also paid homage to Ed Figueroa, chairman of MHAIA, who is retiring as co-chairman of the AFM board. During his tenure, Figueroa helped propel Avocados From Mexico to record levels of volume and revenues from avocados imported from Mexico.
“The Avocados From Mexico brand is stronger and more vibrant than ever, thanks in large part to the strategic vision of Ed Figueroa,” noted Luque. “While his leadership and passion will be missed, Ed leaves behind an organisation and brand perfectly positioned to soar ever higher in the years to come.”
In the past year, AFM increased its share of the US avocado market to 78 per cent, up from 70 per cent from the previous year. That equals a volume of 1.5bn lbs of avocados.
