West Pak Avocado’s Roadmap to Retailer Success for California Season
April 2, 2026 | 4 min to read
MURRIETA, CA – With the California avocado season officially underway, and peak promotable volume anticipated from April through August, West Pak Avocado shares its excitement for the 2026 season by encouraging retailers to capitalize on the strong projected volume. To drive category performance and meet consumer demand for fresh, locally grown fruit, the global avocado supplier offers strategic programs with seasonal storytelling, bag initiatives, and premium variety differentiation.
“The strong volume projected by the California Avocado Commission for 2026 is a testament to the strength of the California avocado industry,” said West Pak Avocado CEO Mario Pacheco. “At West Pak, we are proud to partner with our retailers, providing innovative programs and merchandising support to leverage this exceptional volume and help drive significant category growth.”
The California Avocado Commission forecasts the state’s 2026 harvest at an impressive 330 million pounds, marking the third consecutive year the crop is expected to exceed the 300 million-pound milestone. The Commission’s estimate includes a crop breakdown of 310 million pounds of Hass and 20 million pounds of premium varieties such as GEM and Lamb Hass.
At peak harvest, the Commission anticipates promotable volumes of 10-15 million pounds per week. This robust volume ensures a steady supply of premium California avocados and provides retailers with a clear opportunity to plan promotions throughout spring and summer.
According to West Pak Avocado Vice President of Sales and Business Development Joe Nava, the California season is the time for retailers to differentiate their produce aisle. “We encourage retailers to showcase high-quality, locally grown fruit through the peak California months, starting now and gaining momentum into California Avocado Month in June. Our California lineup, including California-centric bags and our Farm-to-Table PLU program, provides retailers with a roadmap for a successful season.”
West Pak’s California lineup for spring-summer execution offers solutions to drive easy implementation and significant impact for retailers. At the forefront is West Pak’s California Gold bag, which features both conventional and organic varieties. This bag program was designed to enhance key promotional moments while meeting the rising shopper demand for value, convenience, and consistent sizing.
Additionally, the California GEM Avocados bag presents a compelling trade-up opportunity for retailers. These GEM avocados are slightly larger than the popular Hass variety and boast thick, dark green, and easy-to-peel skin with gold flecks when ripe. This specialty fruit offers a creamy, buttery texture complemented by a subtle nuttiness, ensuring consumers enjoy the familiar flavors and eating quality they expect.
To further engage with shoppers who value transparency and local sourcing, West Pak presents its Farm-to-Table story. This initiative provides customized PLUs that emphasize the fruit’s California origins and forge a direct connection between consumers and local growers. By fostering this connection, West Pak helps cultivate a community of mindful consumers who value freshness, quality, and the stories behind their food.
Together, West Pak’s offerings provide a roadmap for retailers looking to maximize impact throughout the season. West Pak advises retailers to align merchandising and promotional strategies ahead of peak availability, particularly aligning with California Avocado Month in June, to maintain strong category momentum throughout the season.
About West Pak Avocado
West Pak Avocado is a family-owned and operated company with over 40 years of experience in growing, packing, shipping, and distributing premium avocados. Their commitment to quality reflects not only in the produce they sell but also in how they respect the land and conduct business. As a leading force in the avocado industry, West Pak Avocado is devoted to upholding the highest ethical trading practices and actively promoting the vitality of the produce business. For more information, please visit westpakavocado.com.