A dynamic California-based avocado and mango company is making its mark in the Market, but Mission Produce is by no means a new kid on the block. Since 1983, Mission has been sourcing, producing and distributing fresh Hass avocados, and as of 2021, fresh mangoes, to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in more than 25 countries. We asked the company to outline its stand-out characteristics as it establishes its presence in the UK

In March 2023, Mission Produce, a global leader in the worldwide avocado business, opened a state-of-the-art ripening, packing and distribution facility in Dartford, Kent, connecting the UK market to the most advanced avocado network in the world.

Mission is one of the world's largest avocado growers and distributors, with a global distribution network that includes 13 forward distribution centres that are strategically positioned in key markets throughout North America, China, Europe, and now the UK. The company owns and operates four state-of-the-art packing facilities in key growing locations: California, Mexico and Peru. With strong grower relationships around the world, Mission also sources from Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Brazil, Ecuador, South Africa and more, to provide a year-round supply of premium fruit.

Mission is a publicly traded company, listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange ($AVO). With vertical integration in key growing regions, Mission is well-positioned to promote reliability of supply for its customers. The company manages 5,500 hectares of avocados across Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, and South Africa. By owning the product, Mission is able to exercise greater control over the supply chain from field to fork.

Mission’s UK presence

Last year, Mission opened a 101,659-squarefoot operation at Crossways, Dartford. The state-of-the-art facility has many strategic benefits, enabling the company to serve the UK market in a way that is distinguished by excellent customer service and premium product quality. The company uses the facility to provide the following services:

• Ripening

• Packing

• Bagging

• Distribution

• 3PL services

• Cold storage

• Supply chain & logistics management

The FDC’s advanced technology can provide significant benefits when delivering ripe and ready fruit to wholesale market customers. It is Mission’s first facility to feature the “Mission Control” exclusive ripening room technology, which involves a specialised atmosphere control process to help create optimal environments for ripening.

By utilising Mission Control technology, the Company has the ability to ripen fruit to customer specification in a manner that is distinctive and advantageous compared to other suppliers in the industry. Testing results found that Mission Control had the ability to accelerate fruit ripening by as much as 20% when compared to a conventional ripening system. Additionally, fruit ripeness throughout the ripening chamber was found to be more consistent when using Mission Control.*

The facility also incorporates grading visibility technology, which can reduce handling times and minimise fruit damage, and testing machinery that can determine stages of ripeness with advanced precision.

It is designed to be one of the most efficient operations of its kind, while enhancing product quality and lengthening shelf-life. It features avocado-specific ripening infrastructure, as well as innovative technology for the grading, testing, and post-ripening processes.

The strategic location and proximity to transportation channels promotes improved transit times, streamlined efficiencies, and reduced costs:

• Close to the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and opposite Thames Port, Mission’s UK facility is in a prime location - just 22 miles from Central London

• It facilitates direct access to major ports, airports, channels, freeways, railways, and the UK’s national motorway network

The building is sustainability-focused, supporting Mission’s commitment to a more sustainable future. It is certified by a BREEAM “excellent” rating and an A+ energy rating with features including solar panel renewable energy, rainwater harvesting & water-saving technology, and smart energy metering.

Steve Barnard, Mission’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “As experts in the art of ripening, Mission Produce is entering the UK market by leading innovation in the avocado category. With many strategic advantages, including the reach of our advanced global network, vertical integration, year-round supply, and enhanced ripening capabilities with Mission Control, we are positioned to drive demand and market growth in the UK for ripe avocados and mangos.”

*Optimising ripening protocols for consistent high-quality avocados. University of Greenwich Natural Resources Institute, Produce Quality Centre. November 2022.

Email: mpuksales@missionproduce.com

Website: https://missionproduce.com