Apeel announces expanded partnership of avocado marketers
Apeel has announced an expanded partnership network made up of more than 20 avocado industry leaders using Apeel’s plant-based protection in the U.S., Latin America and Europe.
New partners join Apeel’s current global network to provide year-round supply, longer-lasting external and internal quality, and quantifiable sustainability benefits to supply chain stakeholders, according to a news release.
In 2020, avocado suppliers using Apeel prevented at least 5 million avocados from going to waste, with much greater impacts to come in 2021 as a result of this expanded supplier base, the release said.
“This network of sustainability-focused suppliers has become a global force for good in the fight against food waste, unlocking opportunities and efficiencies for everyone while massively cutting waste through the supply chain, at retail and in consumers’ homes,” Michael Schaeman, senior vice president of Global Sales at Apeel, said in the release. “Our collaboration with these incredible partners to deliver longer-lasting avocados is just the beginning of the benefits this network will be able to extend to their customers.”
Apeel Avocados are available in tens of thousands of retail locations around the world through a network of suppliers in the key growing regions that support the US and EU markets including California, Mexico, Peru and Chile, as well as marketers and importers in the US and Europe.
New suppliers such as Chilean grower El Parque and Peruvian grower Agrícola Cerro Prieto provide greater retail access to key growing regions, according to the release. Index Fresh, Calavo, Del Monte and West Pak are the most recent to announce the availability of Apeel Avocados in the U.S., adding to an avocado supplier network that was pioneered with early partners like Horton Fruit Company, Del Rey Avocado and Nature’s Pride.
Apeel calculates the environmental benefits associated with food waste reduction outcomes, so suppliers can offer their customers quantitative evidence of how reducing food waste accelerates their sustainability initiatives, according to the release. What’s more, retailers know that every purchase of longer-lasting avocados will have an impact on their shoppers’ in-home waste as well.
Last year alone, Apeel estimates the avocado network prevented more than 5 million avocados from going to waste, resulting in more than 1 billion liters of water conserved (or enough water to fill 420 Olympic-sized pools) and nearly 2,100 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided (equivalent to planting 34k trees).
“With the nationwide launch of Apeel avocados at our German EDEKA supermarket and Netto discount stores, we are reaching a new milestone in our goal of reducing food waste step-by-step,” Markus Mosa, CEO of EDEKA, said in the release. “We also support our shoppers to make an active contribution themselves to prevent valuable food in the household from ending up in the garbage bin.”
These waste reduction benefits are derived in part from Apeel’s ability to maintain external and internal quality all the way to the end consumer. With Apeel’s plant-based protection, retailers can see a 23% increase in marketable days for avocados between stages 4 and 5 - representing the ripeness that is most desirable for shoppers, according to the release.
When a consumer cuts into their Apeel Avocado, they can expect a better eating experience, too. When Apeel is used, 39% more avocados have good internal quality (after 8 - 10 days post-ripening) compared to avocados without Apeel. The network has been successful at implementing Apeel’s technology to create dramatic food waste reduction and business opportunities as a result of produce that lasts longer. Across its avocado programs, Apeel’s retail partners have experienced a 50% reduction in avocado waste and an associated 10% increase in sales on average.2
“Once we started carrying 100% Apeel produce in our stores on a consistent basis, things really took off. We were able to see the positive consumer response through the increase in sales,” Mike Roberts, director of produce operations at Harps Food Stores, said in the release.
