Prime Produce signs agreement with Mexican avocado growers
Prime Produce signs agreement with Mexican avocado growers
Prime Produce International LLC in Placentia, CA, announced Thursday, Dec. 8, that it has signed an exclusive marketing agreement with an avocado growers cooperative in Michoacan, Mexico.
Integradora De Productores de Aguacate de Michoacan is a growing, packing and marketing cooperative that was recently formed to pool the production of Mexican Hass avocados for sales in the U.S. market, said Avi Crane, president and chief executive officer of Prime Produce.
The first shipment from IPAMIM to Prime Produce International left the Michoacan packinghouse in November, he said, and the occasion was celebrated by a ceremony honored with the presence of Michoacan Gov. Lazaro Cardenas Batel. Also present were Mr. Crane and Cristian Calvo, Prime Produce's Hispanic market sales manger. Since then, shipments have continued on a consistent basis.
The fruit is being packed in IPAMM's exclusive "MexHass" label. On arrival, the fruit is being stored at and distributed from Prime Produce International's cold storage facilities in McAllen, TX, and New York City.
"We are thrilled to have been selected by IPAMIM to represent them in the U.S. market and to be able to offer our customer what I believe is the only grower-direct supply program for fresh Mexican Hass avocados," said Mr. Crane. "I have known most of the growers of the cooperative for many years and have seen the care & that they take" and the investment that they make "to produce quality avocados. This production, along with our ongoing relationship with other quality packers-exporters of Mexican Hass avocados, such as AgroExport in the Tancitaro region, provides Prime Produce International with consistent year-round volume to supply our retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe."
Jesus Alejandro Alvarez del Toro, president of IPAMIM, said, "Our producers have worked hard to make sure that their orchards produce the finest quality avocados in the world. We grow, harvest, pack, cool and ship our fruit under the regulations of the USDA and following the standards set forth by the California Department of Food & Agriculture. Our founding membership represents 1,400 hectares [or 3,500 acres] with an annual production of 5.5 million kilograms [or 12.1 million pounds of fruit.] We expect to increase our base as we attract growers from throughout the state of Michoacan. Our board unanimously chose Prime Produce International to market our fruit. We have known Avi Crane for many years, and his knowledge of the industry is second to none. The company he founded gives us an opportunity to work with an importer who knows the market and understands and can address the needs of the Mexican avocado grower."
Prime Produce International "continues to pursue alliances with other growers of avocados in California and outside the United States in an effort to provide them marketing services in the USA," said Doug Circle, director of business development. "Our objective is to continue to provide our expanding customer base in the United States with quality fresh avocados 365 days a year."
Mr. Circle, who is also chairman of Sunrise Growers in Anaheim, CA, became a partner in Prime Produce International in July 2005.
Prime Produce International is a year-round supplier of avocados from California, Chile, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, marketing under the "Prime Produce" label and the exporter's label.
Integradora De Productores de Aguacate de Michoacan is a growing, packing and marketing cooperative that was recently formed to pool the production of Mexican Hass avocados for sales in the U.S. market, said Avi Crane, president and chief executive officer of Prime Produce.
The first shipment from IPAMIM to Prime Produce International left the Michoacan packinghouse in November, he said, and the occasion was celebrated by a ceremony honored with the presence of Michoacan Gov. Lazaro Cardenas Batel. Also present were Mr. Crane and Cristian Calvo, Prime Produce's Hispanic market sales manger. Since then, shipments have continued on a consistent basis.
The fruit is being packed in IPAMM's exclusive "MexHass" label. On arrival, the fruit is being stored at and distributed from Prime Produce International's cold storage facilities in McAllen, TX, and New York City.
"We are thrilled to have been selected by IPAMIM to represent them in the U.S. market and to be able to offer our customer what I believe is the only grower-direct supply program for fresh Mexican Hass avocados," said Mr. Crane. "I have known most of the growers of the cooperative for many years and have seen the care & that they take" and the investment that they make "to produce quality avocados. This production, along with our ongoing relationship with other quality packers-exporters of Mexican Hass avocados, such as AgroExport in the Tancitaro region, provides Prime Produce International with consistent year-round volume to supply our retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe."
Jesus Alejandro Alvarez del Toro, president of IPAMIM, said, "Our producers have worked hard to make sure that their orchards produce the finest quality avocados in the world. We grow, harvest, pack, cool and ship our fruit under the regulations of the USDA and following the standards set forth by the California Department of Food & Agriculture. Our founding membership represents 1,400 hectares [or 3,500 acres] with an annual production of 5.5 million kilograms [or 12.1 million pounds of fruit.] We expect to increase our base as we attract growers from throughout the state of Michoacan. Our board unanimously chose Prime Produce International to market our fruit. We have known Avi Crane for many years, and his knowledge of the industry is second to none. The company he founded gives us an opportunity to work with an importer who knows the market and understands and can address the needs of the Mexican avocado grower."
Prime Produce International "continues to pursue alliances with other growers of avocados in California and outside the United States in an effort to provide them marketing services in the USA," said Doug Circle, director of business development. "Our objective is to continue to provide our expanding customer base in the United States with quality fresh avocados 365 days a year."
Mr. Circle, who is also chairman of Sunrise Growers in Anaheim, CA, became a partner in Prime Produce International in July 2005.
Prime Produce International is a year-round supplier of avocados from California, Chile, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, marketing under the "Prime Produce" label and the exporter's label.
