For more than a decade, Shanley Farms has carved out a unique niche within the California avocado category by focusing on flavor, timing and regional identity. Based along the Central Coast near Morro Bay, the company has built a reputation around its Morro Bay avocado program, which supplies premium fruit late in the California season when domestic availability typically becomes scarce.

The avocado program continues to expand as Shanley Farms strengthens partnerships with growers and retail customers. A key development came last year when the company partnered with Henry Avocado Corp. allowing them to significantly broaden the reach of the Morro Bay Avocado brand. This partnership leverages Henry’s century of industry expertise and its strategic network of ripening facilities across the country. 

By combining Morro Bay Avocado’s premium late-season fruit with their sophisticated national infrastructure, it is uniquely positioned to deliver ripeness of choice programs that align with its vision for consistent high-quality growth.

“Since making that change, we’ve been able to increase the number of growers participating in the program and significantly expand the volume available to our retail partners,” said Megan Shanley, the company’s CEO. “It’s exciting because it allows us to spread the brand further and reach new distribution centers and stores that we couldn’t access before.”

California avocados play an important role in the company’s marketing strategy. Shanley noted that the broader reputation of California fruit helps reinforce the premium positioning of Morro Bay avocados.

“Being part of California’s avocado industry is incredibly valuable,” she said. “California fruit already has that premium perception, and Morro Bay avocados fall under that umbrella while offering something a little different—a unique region and a very late-season supply.”

The company’s avocado program typically runs from August through September, extending the availability of domestic fruit after much of the state’s harvest has already been completed. 

California’s diverse growing regions allow the state’s avocado season to move gradually north as the year progresses. By the time harvest reaches the cooler Central Coast, Shanley Farms is positioned to deliver fruit when other domestic supplies are limited.

“The season starts in Southern California and works its way up the state until it reaches the Central Coast in late summer,” Shanley said. “That timing allows us to provide one of the last California avocado programs of the season.”

The coastal environment around Morro Bay plays a major role in the fruit’s flavor profile. Shanley explained that the area’s cool microclimate allows avocados to mature slowly, producing a richer and creamier eating experience.

“Our avocados stay on the tree about 18 months, while most avocados are harvested after around 12 months,” she said. “That extra time allows the oil content to increase and creates an exceptionally really rich, buttery flavor.”

Morning fog followed by mild daytime temperatures helps slow the fruit’s development, allowing growers to harvest only once it reaches peak oil levels.

“It’s that cool coastal climate—the fog rolling into the canyons in the morning and then burning off during the day—that lets the fruit mature slowly,” Shanley said. “When we harvest, it’s because the fruit has reached the flavor profile we’re looking for.”

Despite those advantages, the California avocado industry faces significant challenges from imported fruit, particularly during late-season windows when international supplies are abundant.

“Imports are probably the biggest challenge for California growers right now,” Shanley said. “At times it feels like we’re barely hanging on, especially when the market is flooded with fruit from other countries.”

As the company heads into another season, Shanley Farms continues to focus on expanding the Morro Bay program while emphasizing the qualities that differentiate its fruit.

“At the end of the day, it comes down to flavor and quality,” Shanley said. “For people who really care about taste, these are some of the best avocados you can find.”