In 2002, Calavo became a diversified company. With the acquisition of Maui Fresh today’s Calavo is much more than the leading distributor and marketer of avocados. We are now a force in farm-fresh produce as well and a one-stop shop for tropical, Hispanic and specialty produce.
Papayas
Calavo is the largest importer of delicious Hawaiian papayas.
Calavo markets the Kapoho Solo variety grown in the warm climate of Hawaii\'s Big Island. Roughly 65% of Hawaii\'s production of papaya is exported out of state. Of that number, more than three quarters are marketed under the Calavo Gold® and Cole® brands which means Calavo papayas are always fresh, flavorful and available year-round.
Hispanics
Spicy, fresh and colorful chiles, onions, tomatoes, and garlic are mainstream items in and out of Mexican cuisine. Retail and foodservice segments cater to a growing Latino demographic who shop for and dine at restaurants that feature these and other Hispanic produce items and, Mexican food is ranked #2 in ethnic restaurant choices.
Latinos in the U.S. constitute the fastest-growing segment of the population. Mexican migration is driving growth to areas that historically have not been home to Latinos such as Georgia, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Virginia, and Massachusetts.
Today, the Hispanic community accounts for 14% of the U.S. population. By the year 2050, the Hispanic population is expected to triple to an estimated 102.5 million. While these numbers are staggering, so are expenditures this segment spends with sales approaching $5 billion on fresh fruits and vegetables alone. This tremendous category growth is precisely why Calavo is poised to meet the demand.
Calavo and Maui Fresh International grow and source Hispanic produce items like world-class fresh chiles, onions, tomatoes, and garlic in the U.S. and abroad to meet year-round demand.
Category Drivers:
- Hispanics account for nearly $36 billion in food expenditures, $5 billion on fresh fruits and vegetables alone
- Spend nearly 25% more than any other demographic group on food consumed in the home, reasons for this include:
- Larger than average families
- More meals consumed at home
- From scratch cooking using fresh ingredients
- 85% of Hispanics do most of their shopping in supermarkets
- 97% of Latino shoppers rated “fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables” as a “very important” factor in determining their choice of food retailer.
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