Santa Paula, Calif.-based Calavo Growers started receiving Peruvian fruit weekly in June, and shipments are anticipated to continue into early September.
“Early arrivals are ripening well and received with excellent quality,” said Peter Shore, vice president of produce management of Calavo Fresh Sales. “Supplies look good coming out of Peru, although crop volume is down from previous years and sizing is trending (from) large to small sizes.”
Typically, Peru hass avocados size larger, with plenty of 32/36 and 40s, he said.
Calavo’s shipments from Peru will be received in the port of Philadelphia and transferred the short distance to its Swedesboro, N.J., warehouse for ripening and shipping, Shore said.
The majority of Calavo’s Peruvian fruit is sold loose in standard 2-layer tray-packed cartons.
“We can special pack fruit and bag at our Value-Added Depots,” Shore said.
