Oppy’s marketing plan for Mexican avocados centers around the pillars of sustainability, high quality and reliability, says Rodrigo Lopez, category director of citrus and avocados.
Lopez says Oppy’s avocado operations in Mexico involve partnerships with growers in the states of Michoacán and Jalisco. Oppy offers both conventional and organic fruit.
Speaking to the sustainability pillar, Oppy will introduce home compostable bags by the end of the year, Lopez said.
“Our primary partner, Avoworks, operates a state-of-the-art facility to ensure top-quality avocados for the U.S. market,” he said. “Mexico accounts for 70% of our avocado volume, making it a crucial component of our supply chain. Diversification across Mexican growing regions is a strategic priority for us, along with supplementing our supply from other countries of origin to ensure consistency and provide options for all customers.”
For the 2023-24 crop season, Lopez said buyers can anticipate fairly consistent sizing options throughout the year, with 48s and 60s being the most fruit sizes.
Growth ahead
Demand is growing for avocados in the U.S. and other countries, Lopez said.
“A decade ago, consumption mainly came from heavy consumers and specific ethnic groups,” he said. “Nowadays, avocados are becoming part of the daily diet of the average American family as they want to include something healthy and tasty.”
The U.S. and European per capita consumption still sit several pounds below that of Mexico and other countries that have been consuming avocados for years. However, Lopez said consumption of avocados continues to steadily increase in both the U.S. and Europe.