Mission Produce, the largest avocado company in the United States, is expanding its operations beyond Mexico to meet growing consumer demand for avocados across the country. The company, which sells roughly one-third of the approximately 3 billion pounds of avocados consumed annually in the U.S., aims to double its revenue within the next decade and a half, according to chief executive John Pawlowski.
Avocado consumption in the U.S. has been steadily rising, driven largely by their popularity in Hispanic cuisines and increased interest from younger consumers seeking fresh, nutritious food options. While sales traditionally peaked during the Super Bowl in winter months, Pawlowski noted that this seasonal spike is becoming less pronounced as consumption spreads more evenly throughout the year. Market research firm Circana reported a 12 percent increase in pounds of avocados sold in retail over the past year, even as overall produce sales by weight have slightly declined. Approximately 56 percent of U.S. households purchased avocados during this period. At the same time, retail prices fell by 18 percent, attributed to bumper crops outpacing demand.
Mission Produce, headquartered in Oxnard, California—a region known for avocado cultivation—was founded in 1983 by Steve Barnard, who stepped down as CEO in early 2026. This year, Mission acquired its second-largest competitor, Calavo Growers, in a $466 million deal, solidifying its position as the only avocado distributor publicly traded on the U.S. stock market. The company’s shares have gained 7.5 percent this year.
More than three-quarters of the avocados Mission sells in the U.S. are grown in Mexico, with about 16 percent sourced domestically. To mitigate risks associated with Mexico's Michoacán region—which faces security challenges due to criminal gang activity extorting local growers and packers—Mission also operates a 10,000-acre plantation in Peru and a 1,600-acre orchard in Guatemala. These international holdings help maintain year-round production and provide diversification away from the troubled Mexican heartland.
The Mexican government deployed over 1,500 soldiers to Michoacán in August to address ongoing violence, and U.S. fruit inspections in the region have been suspended three times since 2022 because of security concerns. Pawlowski expressed cautious optimism about Mexican authorities’ increased support during security incidents, but noted that more consistent resources would be beneficial. He declined to comment directly on whether Mexican farmers face extortion demands.
Mission Produce was affected by tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, including a temporary 25 percent duty on Mexican imports and 10 percent on those from Peru. The company has filed claims for $12.5 million in tariff refunds after courts struck down the emergency tariffs.
Looking ahead, Mission faces potential challenges linked to the El Niño weather pattern anticipated to peak later this year, which could bring drier and hotter conditions leading to reduced yields and smaller fruit sizes. Pawlowski said the company has adapted its agricultural practices based on experience from previous El Niño cycles to better prepare trees for such conditions.
Including the acquisition of Calavo Growers, Mission’s sales reached approximately $2 billion last year, with smaller contributions from blueberries and mangoes. While acknowledging fluctuations due to the volatile nature of fresh produce markets, the company’s leadership is targeting $4 billion in annual sales within the next ten years.