In a move aimed at reshaping the global mango landscape, fruit genetics company Sun World International and avocado supplier Mission Produce have joined forces to tackle the category’s long-standing consistency issues through a major new variety development collaboration.
Sun World International, a global leader in fruit genetics and variety licensing, and Mission Produce, a world leader in sourcing, producing and distributing fresh hass avocados, have announced a collaboration to explore opportunities in the mango category, with a shared focus on identifying innovative, commercially viable varieties that benefit growers, retailers and consumers.
Despite strong and growing global demand, the mango category has long been defined by inconsistent eating quality and limited variety differentiation, according to a news release. This limited variety differentiation is a gap that Sun World and Mission Produce have been independently working to close.
The companies say their collaboration unites Sun World’s decades of experience in plant breeding, global evaluation and variety commercialization with Mission Produce’s supply chain expertise, grower relationships and market reach across key production regions, including Mexico, Brazil, Peru and beyond.
“Mangoes are a category full of potential, and most people in the industry know there’s a real opportunity to innovate to bring a great eating experience every time,” says Bernardo Calvo, president and CEO of Sun World International. “As we continue to build our mango portfolio — from our earliest commercial introductions through late-season selections — we see real value in working alongside partners like Mission. What drew us to them is that they get it — they aren’t afraid to innovate boldly. Both of our organizations care about quality, think long-term and are willing to explore what’s next to lift the entire category. That’s the kind of partner we want to be building with.”
Sun World says its mango program represents one of the most significant investments in mango variety development in the industry today. Following its acquisition of the world’s largest mango breeding program through the Biogold transaction, Sun World has rapidly expanded its pipeline and commercial offerings.
The company now has three commercial mango varieties available for licensing, including Kankun, acquired in 2023 as an early-season variety. Kankun has nine advanced selections currently undergoing evaluation across international growing regions, and nearly 600 new potential varieties in early-stage assessment, targeting an extended window harvest.
Officially launched at Fruit Logistica earlier this year, Sun World’s mango program is designed to give growers access to differentiated, proprietary genetics with the agronomic performance and market demand needed to delight consumers and build a sustainable, profitable business.
Mission Produce brings expertise in mango sourcing, ripening and distribution — leveraging the same vertically integrated infrastructure that has made the company a category leader in avocados to elevate the mango category, the release says. Mission Produce has invested significantly in mango category development in recent years, including targeted retail programs designed to grow household penetration and consumer trust.
“We see a significant opportunity to grow the mango category by delivering a more consistent, premium eating experience to consumers around the world,” says John Pawlowski, president and chief operating officer of Mission Produce. “This collaboration builds on the strong foundation we’ve established in mangos and brings together Sun World’s leadership in variety innovation with Mission’s global sourcing, vertical integration and ripening expertise. Together, we can accelerate progress toward a more reliable, high-quality experience for consumers.”
The companies say the collaboration represents a shared intent to explore which varieties, production regions and market opportunities may offer the greatest commercial potential for growers and retailers alike.
“From our vertically integrated farms in Peru to our broader year-round sourcing network, and through to our advanced ripening capabilities at retail, every step plays a role in delivering the World’s Finest Mangoes,” says Keith Barnard, senior vice president of global sourcing at Mission Produce. “That commitment to quality and consistency starts at the source and carries through the entire supply chain. When we deliver on that promise, it drives stronger retail performance, builds consumer trust, and ultimately fuels long-term growth for the category.”
For growers, the collaboration signals an opportunity to access and trial a new generation of proprietary mango varieties designed to deliver superior eating quality, broader market appeal and stronger returns, say the companies.
Both Sun World and Mission Produce see production regions across Latin America as central to that vision, with opportunities for expanded collaboration as new varieties move through the commercial pipeline.
Growers interested in learning more about trialing, evaluating or producing Sun World mango varieties can visit the company’s website.
