PagodaLantaoMissionRipeandReadyAvocados

Ripe-and-ready avocados should soon be enjoyed by consumers across China after one of the world’s leading avocado marketers signed a joint venture with China’s fastest growing food retailers and a Chinese distributor.

Mission Produce is joining forces with Pagoda, the Chinese speciality fresh produce retailer, and Chinese fresh produce distributor Lantao to develop a network of infrastructure across China to distribute ready-to-eat avocados.

“Demand for avocados in China is growing fast,” said Mission president Steve Barnard. “It can grow even faster if shoppers have fruit that is ripe and ready-to-eat. Our new joint venture is designed to make this happen.”

The joint venture agreement was formally signed today in Shanghai at PMA Fresh Connections, the Produce Marketing Association’s China conference.