Agroexport LLC, based in Pharr, TX, has partnered with Apio Inc. to introduce the first commercial offering of avocado products featuring the patented BreatheWay packaging technology.

Packed under the “Villita” brand, Agroexport’s new Slice ‘n Serve avocado packages deliver fresh, ripe avocados that last 14 days longer than traditionally packaged avocados, bringing tremendous value to the “Villita” brand and its customers.

The new Slice ‘n Serve 25-pound packs made their debut at the recent Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit convention in New Orleans.

Agroexport’s new Slice ‘n Serve avocado packages deliver fresh, ripe avocados that last 14 days longer than traditionally packaged avocados, bringing tremendous value to the ‘Villita’ brand and its customers.The PMA Fresh Summit convention also marked the launch of Agroexport’s national marketing and sales efforts focused on gaining retail and foodservice distribution for the “Villita” branded product.

The growth initiative is supported by the company’s Pennsylvania and Texas centers and offers delivery to the major markets within the United States and Canada.

Apio Inc., based in Guadalupe, CA, is a leader in value-added fresh vegetables in North America and owns the patented BreatheWay technology.

Apio has proven the benefits of this technology on its own products and currently uses BreatheWay on its ready-to-use fresh vegetables, vegetable blends, trays and salads to extend shelf life and provide a higher-quality product to consumers.

BreatheWay technology provides an innovative, value-added approach to ripe Hass avocados, according to Agroexport.

Traditional fully ripe avocados have supply-chain complications and very limited shelf life. “Villita” Slice ‘n Serve Hass avocados overcome these challenges by relying on BreatheWay technology to slow product respiration, decrease the incidence of chill damage during transportation and maintain ideal in-pack moisture levels.

This sophisticated packaging allows Agroexport to pack Slice ‘n Serve Hass avocados at the ideal eating stage rather than an unripe stage.

When left in the sealed box at the proper storage temperature, “Villita” Slice ‘n Serve avocados will last up to 14 days longer than traditional (or open-air packaging) with no chill or tissue damage.

This packaging also avoids weight loss and locks in moisture to keep the avocados fully hydrated.

Agroexport can now ensure the best possible ripe avocado by overcoming the supply-chain obstacles of distance, temperature and time.

Slice ‘n Serve Hass avocados also eliminate the sorting to find the perfectly ripe avocado while greatly reducing losses from over-ripe fruit at both retail and foodservice channels.

“We have garnered tremendous interest from the trade and anticipate consumers will quickly learn to look for a Slice ‘n Serve avocado in the marketplace, as it is the ideal product for on-trend uses of avocados on salads,” Jimmy Lotufo, director of business development for Agroexport LLC, said in a press release.