New board members will provide strategic support to enhance domestic strategy
The Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) has elected four new board members – two importers and two exporters – at its recent annual general meeting.
Carlos Andres Londoño of Jardin Exotics has been appointed as the CAB’s new exporter director, replacing Mauricio Moranth of Montana Fruits. Baika Fruit’s Sergio Plata Ortiz was re-elected as exporter director and also elected to serve as vice chair, on the executive committee.
Katheryn Mejia was reappointed as the CAB’s director, representing Corpohass on the board. Dustin Hahn of Naturipe Avocados and Kellen Newhouse of West Pak Avocado, were also re-elected serving new terms, Hahn as importer director and vice chair and Newhouse as importer director and treasurer.
The board, which plays an integral role in decision making and providing strategic input to guide US market development for Colombia Avocados, consists of nine director members who each serve a two-year term and can be re-elected to continue serving subsequent terms.
Other continuing board members include Ricardo Uribe of Cartama, CAB chair and exporter Director with Cartama; Brock Becker of Mission Produce, CAB importer director; and Brian Gomezof Green Fruit Avocados, also CAB importer director.
Manuel Michel, CAB managing director, thanked Moranth for his service and welcome Londoño to his new role.
“As we look to the future, we are honoured to collaborate with both new and longstanding association members who are committed to expanding the avocado category and strengthening Colombia’s reputation as a dependable, year-round source,” Michel said.
“With Colombian avocado volume rising, our focus on consistent quality, fast shipping times, and year-round availability gives us confident that we are poised for continued growth and another record-breaking year.”
Since gaining access to the US market in 2017, Colombian avocados have seen significant growth in imports. In 2023, approximately 30mn lbs were shipped to the US, and projections for 2024 indicate a volume of 95mn lbs—a 216 per cent year-over-year rise. This growing volume offers retailers the opportunity to expand their programmes and explore new possibilities with high-quality avocados from Colombia.
