Mission Produce Europe B.V (MPE) is looking to capitalize on increased European avocado consumption. Mission Produce, Inc. opened its avocado sales and distribution entity in Breda, Netherlands in 2012. Mission later expanded this facility to house four ripening rooms to meet “ready-to-eat” avocado demand in Europe.
“European avocado consumption has never been higher, but there is much more room for growth,” said Pedro Hevia, EU Sales Manager. “The potential is there, especially as European shoppers continue to learn about the health benefits of this tremendous fruit.”
MPE said it provides its European customers with the complete package: year-round supply, global availability, and avocado-specific ripening capabilities. “Our avocado ripening rooms allow us to service the ‘ready-to-eat’ market in Europe, in addition to supplying consistent volume from Peru, Mexico, Chile, Kenya, Morocco, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Guatemala,” added Bruno Astuto, Supply and Operations Manager.
Left to right: Pedro Hevia, Bruno Astuto, Ben Barnard
Mission engineers designed the company’s ripening rooms specifically for avocados. Compared to banana ripening rooms, avocado ripening rooms have greater cooling capacities. Banana ripening rooms only cool the fruit to 12 degrees Celsius while avocado ripening rooms decrease the fruit’s temperature to 3 degrees Celsius. Removing heat from an avocado is essential to preserving proper stage, quality, and shelf-life. Mission said its ripening rooms also have 24-hour monitoring controls to prevent fruit shrink and dehydration.
MPE said to demonstrate the company’s commitment to the European market, several company team members will be at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, Spain from October 23-25. “Attending Fruit Attraction gives us the opportunity to bring awareness to the Mission advantage and difference. We ripen avocados exactly to our customers’ specifications, and we are able to do so every day of the year,” according to Hevia. “By attending this trade show, we are hoping to foster our existing relationships and secure additional partnerships.”
In addition to expanding its presence in Europe, MPE is also increasing its Breda-based staff. “In the past three years, we’ve added ten new members to our team to support our customer base and the market.” notes Ben Barnard, VP of Global Partnerships & Business Development. “The team comes to Mission from different backgrounds and expertise, yet the goal is the same – to provide our European consumers with the world’s finest avocados.”
To learn more about Mission Produce Europe B.V. and meet the team, visit booth 10H01A at Fruit Attraction.
For more information:
Brent Scattini
Mission Produce, Inc.
Tel: +1 (805) 981-3650
bscattini@missionproduce.com
www.missionproduce.com