WP Produce and Hazel Tech grow avocado program by 35%

Chicago-based Hazel Technologies and Miami-based WP Produce report strong growth in the volume of Dominican Republic tropical avocados treated with the technology.

“Investing in new technology that ensures premium quality and extended shelf-life is vital to our business,” Chris Gonzalez, vice president of sales at WP Produce, said in a news release. “Consumers expect freshness and flavor, and by protecting our Desbry Tropical Avocados with Hazel we are delivering the highest possible quality and shelf-life to our retail and foodservice partners.”  

Since the start of the WP Produce and Hazel Tech partnership with 2-count consumer bags in 2020, WP Produce has expanded their distribution of shipments protected by Hazel 0 technology by over 35%, according to the news release.

Hazel-treated avocados marketed by WP Produce are sold throughout North America and Canada, the release said.

“We’ve always had strong distribution along the East Coast, but over the past few years we’ve worked hard to introduce Desbry Tropical Avocados in California, Nevada, Texas and other western states where the research and data shows great potential for growing the avocado category,” Gonzalez said in the release. “Hazel Tech has been an important part of our expansion, assuring our premium-quality fruit stays fresh all the way to the Pacific coast from Florida and the Dominican Republic. Our customers tell us we are the only supplier that can do so.”

“Hazel’s mission is to increase the efficiency of the supply chain through innovative, easy-to-use solutions,” Aidan Mouat, CEO of Hazel Technologies, said in the release.  “The Hazel O technology utilized in Desbry Tropical Avocados is proven to protect the internal and external quality of both organic and conventional programs. Less food wasted means higher retail sales and a smaller environmental footprint.”