Oxnard, California-based Mission Produce has entered a formal marketing and distribution agreement with Colombian avocado grower/packer Cartama. Cartama is the largest producer of Hass avocados in Colombia, and has been growing and distributing avocados for over 16 years.
In recent years Cartama has been rapidly expanding its avocado production, and will have nearly 1,000 hectares in production by the end of 2017. According to Ricardo Uribe, Cartama’s CEO, “We are very enthusiastic about the venture with Mission. Cartama is a world-class producer of Hass avocados and working with Mission gives us access to world markets and the ability to accelerate our aggressive growth plans.”
According to Jim Donovan, Mission’s Senior Vice President of Global Sourcing, “Colombia produces avocados on a year-round basis, and is a natural complement for our destination markets around the world. Our agreement with Cartama to market and distribute Colombian avocados gives us an additional source of supply as the category continues to grow globally.”
“With the addition of Colombia, this will be the eighth country where Mission has invested capital and infrastructure. We are continuing to grow our global footprint and planning for the future,” added Steve Barnard, Mission’s President & CEO.
About Mission Produce: Mission Produce operates state-of-the-art avocado packing facilities in California, Mexico, Peru and Chile. In addition, the company’s global distribution network includes nine ripe centers in North America, with additional ripe centers in Europe and China. Over the past 34 years, Mission has grown to become the leader in the worldwide avocado business.
About Cartama: Cartama is the leading producer and distributor of Hass avocados in Colombia. The company has purchased nearly 1,000 hectares for avocado production in Colombia—with 800 hectares currently in production, and another 200 in development. Cartama also operates a new packing facility in Pereira. Since 2000, the company has made a clear commitment to produce and export high-quality Hass avocados, and over the years has consolidated its position by expanding to growing districts throughout Colombia.
Source: Mission Produce
