Mission to open massive Texas avocado center in 2021
Mission Produce Inc., Oxnard, Calif., is building a massive distribution center in Laredo, Texas, for Mexican avocados.
Construction on the 262,000-square-foot facility began in May and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2021, according to a news release. It will shorten Mission’s replenishment time and add flexibility in managing inventory, according to President and CEO Steve Barnard.
“The city of Laredo is strategically positioned on the border of Texas and Mexico, making it an ideal location for the distribution of Mexican avocados into the United States,” Barnard said in the release.
The distribution center will also add to third-party services Mission provides to other businesses, with versatility to include other produce. Forty docks, ripening rooms, bagging areas and pallet cooling capacity will allow the company handle any commodity, according to the release.
Ample refrigerated dock and short-term storage space can accommodate third-party logistics needs to house, cool and cross-dock fresh produce imported from Mexico.
“Mission Produce’s decision to invest in Laredo speaks volumes for city’s international trade and logistics industry, which has made Laredo the number-one port in the country,” Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz said in the release.
A M King is building the facility.
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