Oppenheimer has launched an avocado ripening service to better accommodate its eastern US and eastern Canadian customers.
The move comes in response to significant increase in volume handled by the leading North American fresh produce marketer and distributor, according to a company statement.
The service also complements the ripening protocols implemented in 2010 for Oppenheimer’s western customers.
The company’s east-bound avocado ripening programme will be managed at its regional distribution centre, Manfredi Cold Storage of Kennett Square in Pennsylvania.
“Our year-round avocado program is still quite young, but it has reached the point where pre-conditioned offerings are necessary to take it to the next level,” said James Milne, Oppenheimer’s avocado category director.
Oppenheimer began marketing Hass avocados from Mexican producer Mevi two years ago, giving the company a 12-month programme for the first time.
“Mevi’s quality is tremendous, and because the grower responds quickly to the market’s demands through flexible packaging, application of GS1 bar codes, and promotional strategies, we have built a strong program together in a very short amount of time,” Milne explained.
In addition to Mevi’s avocados, Oppenheimer markets the fruit from a small group of select growers which the group has worked with on other items over the years, includinga couple of top-performing producers in Peru and Chile which were added to bolster summer programmes.
Milne said avocados continue to be a very exciting category at retail.
Citing Fresh Look Data, Milne indicated that the sales share of in the fresh produce department grew by nearly 5 per cent in 2011.
“We are now in a position to build more comprehensive programs with more of our customers,” he pointed out.
“By bringing the high quality fruit grown by Mevi into Oppenheimer’s efficient supply chain and ripening it per the customer’s specifications before delivery, we can add value and create a higher level of satisfaction with this product than ever before.”
