Freska adds new packs
Freska adds new packs
Figures tracked by the Mexican Mango Exporters Association and published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that Freska Produce International in Ventura, CA, is the largest importer of Mexican mangos in the United States. The April 15 report shows that Freska had brought in 1.5 million boxes of mangos, representing 50 percent of all crossings at Nogales, AZ, and 18 percent of all Mexican mangos coming into the United States since the season began.
Though Freska Produce has been on the scene for only a few years, one of its principals, Jesus (Chuy) Loza, is a veteran of the mango business and he has specialized in Mexican mangos, though the company also sources from other countries. With its increased volume this year, Freska is offering its mangos in a couple of new packs.
For the club stores, it is offering a 10-pound clamshell that will typically hold six to nine mangos, depending upon their size and weight. "It is a replacement for the regular 10-pound carton," Mr. Loza said.
It displays very well at retail as the shiny clamshell plastic shows off the fruit very well, he said. The clamshell is packed at point of origin and sold as is, so Mr. Loza said that the pack eliminates the high cost of labor at retail to repack or display the product in some other manner.
"It also reduces shrink," he said, explaining that consumers must buy the clamshell as it is packed. When presented with an open carton, some consumers shift mangos from one carton to the next, and an inevitable shrinkage occurs.
Freska is also offering bagged mangos in a 40-pound display-ready box, which "helps us move the smaller-sized fruit," Mr. Loza said.
He explained that the bagged fruit is value priced at retail -- typically at 99 cents per bag. Depending upon the size of the fruit and the f.o.b. price, the number of mangos in each bag varies.
At the beginning of the season, when the f.o.b. price was higher, Freska marketed two pieces of fruit per bag for 99 cents. As the price has dropped, the company is now putting three pieces of fruit in each bag. "If the f.o.b. drops low enough, we may put in four mangos," he said.
Each bag has a label with information on the care and cutting of a mango. Again, the fruit is bagged and packed at source, reducing labor needs at retail.
Though Freska Produce has been on the scene for only a few years, one of its principals, Jesus (Chuy) Loza, is a veteran of the mango business and he has specialized in Mexican mangos, though the company also sources from other countries. With its increased volume this year, Freska is offering its mangos in a couple of new packs.
For the club stores, it is offering a 10-pound clamshell that will typically hold six to nine mangos, depending upon their size and weight. "It is a replacement for the regular 10-pound carton," Mr. Loza said.
It displays very well at retail as the shiny clamshell plastic shows off the fruit very well, he said. The clamshell is packed at point of origin and sold as is, so Mr. Loza said that the pack eliminates the high cost of labor at retail to repack or display the product in some other manner.
"It also reduces shrink," he said, explaining that consumers must buy the clamshell as it is packed. When presented with an open carton, some consumers shift mangos from one carton to the next, and an inevitable shrinkage occurs.
Freska is also offering bagged mangos in a 40-pound display-ready box, which "helps us move the smaller-sized fruit," Mr. Loza said.
He explained that the bagged fruit is value priced at retail -- typically at 99 cents per bag. Depending upon the size of the fruit and the f.o.b. price, the number of mangos in each bag varies.
At the beginning of the season, when the f.o.b. price was higher, Freska marketed two pieces of fruit per bag for 99 cents. As the price has dropped, the company is now putting three pieces of fruit in each bag. "If the f.o.b. drops low enough, we may put in four mangos," he said.
Each bag has a label with information on the care and cutting of a mango. Again, the fruit is bagged and packed at source, reducing labor needs at retail.
