After most of the 2020-21 winter saw big volumes of avocados on the market and relatively low f.o.b. prices, spring has brought a slight easing on the volume, which has been accompanied by very strong pricing. The run-up to the always-avocado-centric Cinco de Mayo, which is a feasting holiday in the United States celebrating Mexico’s history, has seen good volume and solid f.o.b. prices that are not expected to abate in the foreseeable future.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture recently completed a state-mandated referendum vote that determined the California Avocado Commission is approved to continue in operation for the next five years. By law, a continuation vote among eligible commercial California avocado producers must be held every five years. This year’s voting results showed that 75 percent of voting producers support continuation of CAC for another five years, well above the legally required percentage.

Though the California avocado industry has a smaller crop this year, the California Avocado Commission continues to have a robust promotional program, albeit a more efficient one with an emphasis on social and digital media.

Moxxy Marketing has been honored with a 2021 Packaging Design Award from Graphic Design USA for its work with WP Produce on design of a two-count bag and merchandising display bin to promote their Desbry tropical avocados in retail grocery stores.

Apeel announced an expanded partnership network made up of more than 20 avocado industry leaders using Apeel’s plant-based protection in the United States, Latin America and Europe. New partners join Apeel's current global network to provide year-round supply, longer-lasting external and internal quality, and quantifiable sustainability benefits to supply chain stakeholders.

Recently, Mission Produce, Inc., based in Oxnard, CA, launched two promotion programs designed to appeal to consumers and their perceptions and use of avocados. While the promotions were not specifically created with a point of avocado origin in mind, both promotions are being used to help create demand for California avocados this spring and summer.