Sun World International and Mission Produce Join Forces to Revolutionize Mango Market

Sun World International and Mission Produce have announced an exciting collaboration aimed at identifying and commercializing innovative mango varieties. This partnership seeks to tackle historical challenges surrounding quality inconsistencies and variety differentiation in the global mango market.

Strength in Partnership

Based in Bakersfield, California, Sun World brings its extensive expertise in fruit genetics and licensing to the table. Meanwhile, Mission Produce leverages its robust global supply chain and ripening infrastructure to ensure that the mango varieties meet both grower and consumer needs effectively.

The focal point of this collaboration is to discover commercially viable mango varieties that provide better returns for growers while ensuring consumers receive a consistently high-quality product.

Visionary Insights

“Mangoes represent a category full of potential, and industry insiders recognize the opportunity for innovation to enhance the consumer experience,” remarked Bernardo Calvo, president and CEO of Sun World International. “What stands out about Mission is their willingness to innovate boldly. Together, we can explore new avenues to elevate the mango category.”

Expanding Mango Pipeline

Sun World has already taken significant steps to enhance its mango pipeline through its recent acquisition of the Biogold breeding program. This strategic move enables the company to offer three commercial varieties for licensing, including the early-season Kankun variety, while also evaluating nearly 600 potential varieties in early-stage assessments.

Mission’s Strategic Investments

Mission Produce, a recognized leader in the avocado market, has made substantial investments in vertically integrated mango farms located in Peru, establishing a year-round sourcing network for mangoes. Their distribution centers and advanced ripening capabilities allow them to efficiently manage mango programs for retail, wholesale, and foodservice customers.

Enhancing Consumer Experience

John Pawlowski, president and COO of Mission Produce, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “By combining Sun World’s leadership in variety innovation with Mission’s global sourcing and vertical integration, we are positioned to accelerate efforts towards delivering a more reliable and high-quality experience for consumers.”

Targeting Latin America

The joint initiative will focus on production regions across Latin America, including Mexico, Brazil, and Peru. This strategic alignment signals a movement towards proprietary genetics specifically designed to enhance shelf stability and meet growing consumer demands.

Commitment to Quality

“Our commitment to quality and consistency begins at the source and permeates the entire supply chain,” stated Keith Barnard, SVP of Global Sourcing at Mission Produce. “When we fulfill this promise, it strengthens retail performance, builds consumer trust, and ultimately catalyzes long-term growth for the mango category.”

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