WP Produce takes green-skinned avocados year-round

Tropical fruit grower, packer and shipper WP Produce, Miami, is kicking off its 2019 season with green-skinned avocado varieties that will be available year-round.

According to the company, which markets fruit under the Desbry brand, green-skinned avocadoes are seeing a surge in popularity.

Desiree Morales, vice president of WP Produce, said the non-hass varieties, instead of being used for guacamole, have a firmer texture and are ideal for salads, smoothies, toast, sushi and in soups.

The company sources from growers in Florida and imports from the Dominican Republic, and packs them at a new facility.

"Because we own the land we farm and have strong relationships with our growers, we can ensure a consistent supply of produce throughout the season," Morales said in the release. "Our customers have come to depend on the care we take in selecting and packing our produce."

The company has farms in the Valdesia and Ocoa regions of the Dominican Republic, and partners with growers in the Cambita and Puerto Plata regions, according to the release.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the International Executive Service Corps are educating consumers on the Dominican green-skinned fruit.

"We are very excited for the work being done to promote green skin avocados in the U.S.," said Christopher Gonzalez, vice president of sales at WP Produce, said in the release. "Consumers are becoming more and more interested in exotic, tropical produce, and green skin avocados are really starting to see a surge in popularity, especially with the continued demand for avocados as a whole. Consumers want to try the next big thing in avocados."