Mission Produce, Lantao and Pagoda launch second avocado ripening centre

Today, Steve Barnard, President of Mission Produce, John Wang CEO of Lantao and Chinese avocado brand Mr Avocado, and Mr Zhu General Manager of the Commodity Centre at Chinese fruit chainstore Pagoda, signed an agreement to open a second avocado ripening centre in the South of China. The signing ceremony was done at the PMA Fresh Connections: China, held this week in Shenzhen.

Two years ago the three companies launched their China market cooperation with the opening of a first avocado ripening centre in Shanghai.

John Wang (Lantao), Steve Barnard (Mission Produce) and Qidong Zhu (Pagoda)

"We believe in this country and we think the opportunity is huge," according to Steve Barnard.

Mr Zhu commented: "We thank Mission Produce and Lantao for their support and we are committed to working together to make the project a success. After opening the first ripening centre in Shanghai we experienced strong demand from Southern China. This new centre will give us the opportunity to supply this region."

John Wang and Jade Shan, General Manager of Mr Avocado

The centre is set to open in September and will supply Pagoda's 2,800 stores across China, in addition to new cooperations with Olé and other retail outlets. The partners hope to open a dozen more avocado ripening facilities across China in the coming 5 years.