Reedley, Calif.-based Dayka & Hackett, one of Frutura’s investments in the international fresh fruit business, has hired Stephen Fink as vice president of avocados.
Fink was formerly vice president of North American sales for Mission Produce and will spearhead Dayka & Hackett’s introduction of avocados to the U.S. and global markets, according to a news release.
“This is significant and exciting news,” Frutura CEO David Krause said in the release. “Of course, for Frutura and our global avocado operations, but more importantly, for customers wishing to partner with a company such as Frutura and its Dayka & Hackett business unit. Our network can provide a meaningful surety of supply in the volatile avocado space.”
Krause said in the release that the company now handles more than 3 million packages of avocados and will double that volume in less than four years, with supply from four countries.
“We will continue to seek new investments in avocado farming and packing operations,” Krause said in the release. “Dayka & Hackett will be the face of our marketing efforts. Stephen Fink has extensive experience in the avocado space, and we look forward to his leadership at Dayka & Hackett in this very important category.”
Fink will work closely with Dayka & Hackett CEO Tim Dayka on the rollout of the company’s avocado strategy and will be based in Oxnard, Calif., according to the release.
“The vertical integration of our avocado program is extraordinarily compelling,” Fink said. “Avocados are obviously a high-profile and high-demand item, and it is more than comforting to know we grow and control a significant percentage of our volume. We are excited to begin working with both new and existing Dayka & Hackett customers on this project.”
