- Mission Produce (AVO, Financial) has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art packinghouse in Guatemala, set to launch in August 2025.
- The facility will enhance year-round avocado supply, leveraging Guatemala's two annual crops.
- Guatemala's avocado exports in 2024 were valued at Q120,761,773 (USD$15.5 million), supporting over 6,000 jobs.
Mission Produce, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVO) has announced the opening of a new cutting-edge packing facility in Guatemala, aimed at bolstering its global avocado sourcing network. This strategic expansion will see the packinghouse operational by August 2025, featuring advanced quality assurance and food safety technologies. These include automated grading and temperature management systems designed to maintain the high quality of avocados.
The inauguration ceremony, a significant event for Guatemala's emerging role in global avocado production, was attended by Guatemala's President Bernardo Arévalo and U.S. Ambassador Tobin Bradley. Currently, Guatemala's avocado industry supports more than 6,000 jobs, with the country's avocado exports generating over Q120,761,773 (USD$15.5 million) in 2024.
Mission Produce's choice of Guatemala as a strategic base is underpinned by the country's ability to produce two avocado crops annually, effectively bridging supply gaps throughout the year. The company initially established its presence in Guatemala in 2020 by leasing the Cerro Redondo avocado farm. By the end of fiscal 2024, Mission had planted 728 hectares, with plans to extend this to 1,000 hectares by 2026, achieving full production.
This expansion aligns with Mission Produce's commitment to vertical integration, allowing for enhanced quality control and flexibility in meeting seasonal market dynamics. The company's efforts in Guatemala are expected to not only support existing European markets but also potentially enter the lucrative U.S. market in the future, diversifying revenue streams and reducing traditional sourcing dependencies.
