Our History

We Started in California, but Didn’t Stop There

Mission Produce™ was founded in 1983 by produce industry veterans and avocado growers Steve Barnard and Ed Williams. They saw the potential for avocados early and started building the groundwork for what is now the most advanced global avocado network ever created.

For over 35 years, we have invested in people, state-of-the-art technology, and avocado-specific infrastructure to expertly serve our customers, growers, and partners. Throughout our history, we have remained rooted in honesty, respect, and loyalty.

Today we’re still a passionate, driven company with one thing on our mind—grow and market the absolute best avocados on the planet.

1983

Mission Produce™ established in Oxnard, CA

1984

Mission de Mexico in Uruapan, Michoacán Mexico established

1985

Began exporting Mexican fruit to Asian, European and Canadian markets

1986

First avocado handler to import from Chile

1993

Built the first avocado ripening center and launched the first avocado ripe program with Ralphs in California

1997

One of the first to import Mexican avocados to the US with USDA approval

Began importing avocados from New Zealand

2001

Began shipping Peruvian fruit to Canada

2003

Opened eighth regional ripening center with the ability to service all of North America with ripe avocados

2011

Began packing fruit in Santiago, Chile

One of the first to import Peruvian avocados into the US

2012

Began planting 2,600 hectares of Hass avocados in Peru

2013

Opened sales office and distribution center in the Netherlands

2014

Built North America’s largest and most technologically advanced packaging facility in Oxnard, CA

2015

Began construction of ripening rooms at distribution facility in the Netherlands

Completed world’s largest avocado packing facility in Chao, Peru

2017

Announces Mr. Avocado, a joint venture with Lantao and Pagoda, along with the opening of the first avocado ripening facility in China

Opened ripening facility in Breda, Netherlands

Mission launches Minis, Small but Mighty

Mission announces partnership with Cartama, the largest avocado supplier in Colombia

2018

Mission launches Emeralds in the Rough—a program designed to promote imperfect avocados

Mission Foodservice division is created

Mission became the sole owner of farming and packing operations in Peru

2019

Mission launches READY- a merchandising program encouraging retailers to carry two ripe stages

Mission Produce™ and Hazel Technologies, Inc. announce a partnership to extend the shelf-life of avocados

2020

Mission Launches AVOLAST Powered By Hazel®

Mission launches Jumbos 'More to Eat, More to Love'

Mission establishes South African operations in partnership with ZZ2

Mission becomes a publicly traded company

2021

Mission Establishes South African Operations

Mission Enters Mango Category

Mission Launches Inaugural ESG Report

Mission Opens Newest Mega-Center in Laredo, TX

Sustainability

Mission Global