Oppy and Eco Farms have joined forces, and leaders of both companies are incredibly excited about the partnership, becoming a stronger entity together. With Eco Farms bringing nearly five decades of experience and being among the first to grow and market organic avocados in the U.S.— truly veterans in the avocado world — and Oppy importing fruit from all over the world for 163 years, this combination in experience is expected to create massive expansion opportunities for all customers.

Bloggers, chefs, dietitians and other personalities have become valued communicators for the California avocado marketing program. They work with the California Avocado Commission consumer public relations programs, health and wellness initiatives, social media outreach, website content development and other marketing programs.

In an effort to address both the extraordinary opportunities and the extraordinary challenges the industry faces, the Hass Avocado Board, with industry participation, has developed BOLD: The Hass Avocado Industry Board Leadership Development Program. Helping the industry face an increasingly complex marketplace with sophisticated problem-solvers, BOLD is designed to develop emerging leaders who are both motivated and equipped to meet those opportunities and challenges.

Marking a year of striving forward and strengthening synergies since Oppy acquired a 65 percent stake in Eco Farms last spring, the duo is now bringing California avocados — branded in the new Eco Farms label — to the market, celebrating the unification of the two companies.

As avocado demand continues to rise and retailers look forward to Cinco de Mayo and summer sales boosts, growing Mexican players in the marketplace offer additional options to meet supply. “Over the past two decades, U.S. demand for avocados has increased significantly,” said Arturo Larios, managing director of La Casa del Aguacate in Westlake Village, CA. “Just since 2001 per capita consumption has tripled according to USDA statistics. With this increased consumption comes the need for more sourcing options.”

Spring is an exciting time of the year for the team at New Limeco LLC, because that’s when South Florida’s tropical fruit season starts to kick in.