With the California avocado crop for 2023 expected to reach only 257 million pounds, which places it at about 10 percent below the four year volume average, the California Avocado Commission’s is expecting very strong demand throughout its truncated season.

Carson McDaniel, a third generation member of the family that established and is running McDaniel Fruit Company in Fallbrook, CA, has been elevated to the position of vice president and is now a member of the senior leadership team.

Index Fresh, which is expecting to hit peak California avocado harvest in May and June, has upgraded its packing equipment in California as well as its ripening facilities in Texas as it heads to the start of the season.

“Prior to the California season start, we upgraded our sizer equipment and installed a new Spectrum Vision Sort machinery to help streamline and improve our California packing processes,” said Debbie Willmann, vice president of sales.

In April, as the California avocado industry enters its peak shipping period, Del Rey Avocado Company is planning to roll out a new bag that specifically touts the Golden State origin of the fruit.

Bagged avocados as a value buy at retail have been increasing almost exponentially over the past few years, and that trend should continue, according to Peter Shore, vice president of product management for Calavo Growers Inc., Santa Paula, CA.

“There should be a great market this year featuring California bagged avocados,” Shore said. “We see the bagged category as being very important to us for both conventional and organic fruit.”

Freshcourt has more than a quarter century of experience packing and processing fresh avocados from Mexico and the company continues to grow annually. In March, the Coral Gables, FL-based company went to Anaheim, CA, to take part in Natural Products Expo West 2023.

“Freshcourt was thrilled to exhibit at this year’s show,” said Eduardo Garcia Chamorro, creative marketing director for the company. “Because our focus always has been on all-natural, preservative-free products, we are very proud to be associated with such an important show that always promote health and wellness.”