Index Fresh relaunching California Crema GEM line
Index Fresh relaunching California Crema GEM line
Index Fresh is a grower owned company with deep roots in California avocado farming, and its board is comprised entirely of California growers.
“We partner with more than 400 California growers, and the California avocado category is central to our business and long term strategy,” said John Dmytriw, vice president of business development for the Corona, CA-based company. “Our field and agronomy teams work year round in the groves, helping growers optimize yields, fruit quality and sustainability so California can remain one of the world’s most trusted avocado origins.”
Index Fresh has recently kicked off the 2026 California avocado season, and anticipation has been high with the start about six weeks later than last year.
“The crop looks excellent thanks to ample winter rain and we’re expecting about 330 million pounds statewide,” Dmytriw said. “Our shipments are already ramping up through March and April as promotable volume builds.”
In April, the company will relaunch its limited time California Crema GEM line, now in its second year. The gold flecked GEM fruit offers a rich, nutty, creamy eating experience and is grown and packed with sustainable touches like compostable PLUs and recyclable paper bags with home compostable netting.
“Limited Time Offerings have proved to be growth drivers across the product department,” Dmytriw said. “The California Crema GEM program is a LTO that runs from April through June and is a unique opportunity to capture attention and excitement. At the same time, powerful campaigns from organizations like the California Avocado Commission and Avocados From Mexico are stimulating category demand through national marketing and in store promotions.”
As a year-round supplier to the retail and foodservice industry, Index Fresh sources from multiple origins to ensure its customers remain fully stocked 365 days a year.
“California only supplies about 10 percent of the market in a given year, but Index’s large grower base allows us to reliably supply those retailers who value a strong domestic avocado program,” Dmytriw said. “While more countries of origin have come into the category, we’ve continued to expand our California programs because the state’s fruit stands out for its consistency, quality and flavor, which remain key drivers of retailer and consumer preference.”
He noted that the 2026 California crop is estimated at about 330 million pounds, very similar to last year’s total volume. Hass represents roughly 310 million pounds, about a 1 percent gain year over year, while GEMs and other varieties are seeing meaningful growth, with GEM volume expected to climb around 40 percent to roughly 11 million pounds or more.
“Recent off season rains have supported tree health and sizing, so we expect promotable, clean fruit and a strong window for spring and early summer promotions,” Dmytriw said. “We serve a broad customer base that includes national and regional retailers, club stores, discount and Hispanic formats, foodservice broadliners and restaurant chains, along with select international retail and warehouse accounts. Being grower owned, we’re committed to selling the full-size curve and both No. 1 and No. 2 grades, and this diversified customer mix helps us do that efficiently.”
Dmytriw noted success in avocados comes down to consistency, transparency and service.
“Innovation, data and category insights matter, but it’s the day to day discipline of delivering reliable supply, clear communication and responsive customer support that truly builds trust and long term programs is alignment and communication,” he said. “We focus on understanding each partner’s go to market strategy, then build customized programs that deliver high quality, the right specification and a promotional plan for their shoppers.”
Shoppers today are very price- and promotion sensitive, and avocados compete with every other item in the basket, especially given their perishability. That’s why Index Fresh urges retailers to run aggressive, well timed promotions, supported by sharp pricing, secondary placements and clear ripe use messaging, which can pull avocados back onto the list and drive incremental units.
“We encourage retailers to work closely with the Index Fresh sales team to dial in the right product and promotional mix, leveraging our national ripening network for both ripe and hard fruit, as well as bagged programs that pair with effective merchandising fixtures and targeted placement throughout the store,” Dmytriw said.
