Naturipe Farms Among First to Earn Pro-Forest Certification for Deforestation-Free Avocados
January 28, 2026 | 3 min to read
Salinas, CA – Retailers and consumers can look forward to avocados that deliver quality and confidence in how they are grown. Naturipe Farms, a long-time sustainability leader in the produce industry, earns Pro-Forest certification for its avocados, meeting a voluntary, third-party standard that verifies deforestation-free production practices in Mexico.
The Pro-Forest program was developed in response to growing retailer and consumer expectations around responsible sourcing and forest protection. Today, it is increasingly requested by major U.S. retailers, like Costco, as part of broader sustainability commitments.
Through its Baika Mexico operations, Naturipe Farms was an early adopter of the Pro-Forest program, becoming one of the first avocado packing houses in Mexico to earn the certification. The achievement reinforces Naturipe’s ability to provide full traceability and transparency across its avocado supply chain while supporting responsible land management.
“Pro-Forest certification reflects our long-standing commitment to sustainable avocado production,” said Andy Bruno, president of Naturipe Avocado Farms. “Being one of the first packing houses in Mexico to earn this certification allows us to give our retailers confidence in where their avocados come from and how they are produced.”
The Pro-Forest system uses satellite mapping to monitor land and fire activity dating back to 2018, helping ensure avocados are sourced from land free of deforestation. The program’s rollout coincided with a record year for avocados in the U.S., with more than three billion pounds sold. According to Bruno, the milestone underscores the industry’s ability to meet strong demand while complying with rigorous sustainability standards.
The certification complements Naturipe’s broader sustainability efforts, including the introduction of compostable Price Look-Up (PLU) stickers. With U.S. avocado volumes expected to remain strong through 2026, Naturipe continues to invest in practices that support both environmental responsibility and a reliable, high-quality supply for retailers.
For more information about Naturipe Farms and its sustainability initiatives, visit naturipefarms.com.
About Naturipe
Naturipe is a grower-owned producer and marketer of high-quality, great-tasting berries and avocados. We are an industry leader in breeding premium berries through robust genetics research. For more than 100 years, Naturipe has produced healthy, deliciously fresh, frozen, and value-added products. Because our diverse grower base shares resources, skills, labor, and knowledge, we are better growers and, in turn, strengthen the local farm community. Our focus on innovation ensures year-round availability of locally grown and Globally Local™ conventional and organic fruit.