With a year under its belt as a direct seller of its own production to the U.S. market, GLC Cerritos is expecting significant volume growth over the coming years as one-third of its 2900 acres of avocado groves in the state of Jalisco in Central Mexico are less than three years old.

Though Pharr, Texas-based Villita Avocados Inc. already announced the introduction of the industry’s first plastic-free and fully compostable display bag, Executive Vice President Rob Ybarra said the news is so big it will be top of mind until at least the transition to this revolutionary packaging is complete in spring of 2024.

“Retailers are showing lots of interest,” Ybarra said. “We expect some major retailers to come aboard.”

The issue of lack of size that avocado growers from Mexico have been dealing with the past several months appears to be in the rearview mirror. While the very largest fruit is still in short supply, the 48 size, which is seemingly the size preferred by most retailers for their bulk displays, is being produced in good numbers now that Mexico is moving into its normal crop.

With a significant rain event in Mexico in mid-October, there was expectations of an improved size curve and good avocado supplies for at least the next three to four months.

Calavo Growers Vice President of Product Management Peter Shore told The Produce News Oct. 12, “The supplies are coming on well and the harvesting of the (Mexico) crop is going well. There is a good mix of sizes especially from 40s to 70s.”

The recent announcement that California stone fruit giant Prima Wawona filed for bankruptcy sent shockwaves through the state’s San Joaquin Valley, with a strong possibility that aftershocks will still be reverberating during the 2024 summer season.

I Love Produce, an importer and distributor of garlic, ginger and shallots, based in Kelton, PA, is introducing squeezable jars of garlic and ginger at the International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, CA.