Avocados are long past only seasonal demand, with year-round recipes and dietary consistencies challenging innovators to bring the green treasure to market. We caught up with Mario Pacheco, Chief Executive Officer of West Pak Avocado, for a behind-the-scenes look at how the company is redefining what it means to deliver avocados year-round. With a customer-focused, vertically integrated model, West Pak is bringing fresh solutions to the table—like its signature country-of-origin bags that boost transparency for retailers and elevate the shopping experience for consumers. Mario also shares the scoop on the new Amplifying AVO360 campaign and how the team is gearing up for the upcoming Global Produce & Floral Show (GPFS).
Get ready to dig into West Pak’s vision for the future—where top-notch service and fresh avocados are always in season.
Mario Pacheco, Chief Executive Officer, West Pak Avocado: At West Pak, every role contributes to something bigger—from nurturing the avocado at its source to delivering it fresh to shelves across the globe. This is the heart of our AVO360 philosophy: one mission, many hands, all moving the needle together. To ensure our customers feel valued and understood, we remain committed to supporting their avocado categories throughout every season. We are proud to call ourselves customer-obsessed and work hard to cater to our customers' specific yet diverse needs with best-in-class service and customized avocado experiences that help drive sales. Our mission is to deliver delicious, healthy avocados available from farm to table for consumers worldwide.
MP: Our vertically integrated approach to supply chain management is key to our success and our promise to our customers. By overseeing the entire process—from farming to distribution—we can guarantee a reliable and consistent supply of high-quality fruit. Our vertical integrations span across California, Mexico, and Colombia, allowing us to reduce costs, improve turnaround times, and swiftly adapt to market changes. This strategic integration ensures that we can offer year-round availability and timely deliveries, effectively meeting our customers' needs.
One of the key benefits of our vertical integration is the ability to maintain quality and consistency. We strategically source our avocados based on seasonal availability, which minimizes dependency on any single source and reduces risks associated with third-party suppliers. By controlling our own groves, packing operations, and distribution facilities, we remain agile and responsive to market demands. This helps us ensure that our avocados are always available when our customers need them. Our vertical integration also enhances traceability, allowing us to thoroughly track our fruit throughout the supply chain and uphold our rigorous safety and quality standards. This commitment fosters trust with our customers and reinforces our dedication to delivering the best avocados possible.
MP: Country-of-origin bags play a crucial role in the avocado supply ecosystem, especially during peak seasons when they help bridge supply gaps and assure consumers of the quality and safety of our products. These bags enhance consumer trust by clearly labeling the fruit's source, which builds confidence and fosters regional loyalty. This transparency enables retailers to manage their inventory more effectively, allowing them to anticipate supply variations and optimize stock control. These bags enable retailers to align marketing strategies with consumer preferences and emphasize freshness, ultimately enhancing shopper satisfaction. They also serve as educational tools, promoting the unique qualities of avocados from different regions and helping retailers effectively meet consumer demand.
MP: Through our innovative AVO360 program, we empower customers with regional sourcing strategies and impactful and branded avocado packaging options, including new regional bags, heart-healthy brands, and certified organics. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond packaging, offering seamless user experiences with expert ripening, logistics, and quality assurance. This also includes the AVO360 Resource Center, which provides educational, marketing, and merchandising support. This unwavering dedication to delivering superior avocado solutions is specifically designed to meet the needs of retail and foodservice customers worldwide.
We will launch our new campaign at the Global Produce & Floral Show, showcasing successful case studies that illustrate effective initiatives in the avocado market. We will share real-world outcomes and strategies that have proven effective across both retail and foodservice sectors.
MP: The new campaign is an evolution of our 2024 AVO360 Experience. This year, Amplifying AVO360 offers support focused on seasonal planning and performance growth, and ensuring that our customers are well-equipped to meet the year's demands.
The new campaign represents a significant strategic initiative for West Pak, aimed at enhancing brand visibility and engagement with both retailers and consumers. This campaign highlights case studies and collaboration stories, while emphasizing tools like country-of-origin bags and custom ripening to meet market demands. We aim to support our partners with seasonal planning and tactical strategies to manage pricing and sizing. Plus, we continue to introduce insights from the Resource Center, which will help attendees effectively connect with consumers and prepare for trends in 2026.
MP: The Resource Center is an ever-evolving array of innovative tools designed to support their strategic planning efforts and help them adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer expectations. Our retail and foodservice customers have access to advanced analytics that allow them to track market trends, consumer preferences, and seasonal demand fluctuations. These tools also empower customers to make informed decisions about inventory management and promotional strategies as they navigate through 2026 and beyond.
MP: Brands that effectively utilize health-focused content can increase visibility and strengthen customer loyalty. At West Pak, we believe sharing engaging recipes and using storytelling helps consumers understand the nutritional benefits of avocados, empowering them to make informed choices. Our transparent messaging positions West Pak as a trusted authority in the avocado industry, enhancing brand loyalty among health-conscious shoppers. Between our fun Nutritional bag and ongoing educational content for our customers to share, we aim to help inspire consumers and promote the benefits and versatility of avocados in their diets.
So what is next for West Pak? Meeting the demand for premium avocados by enhancing existing operations. Through innovation and responsibly cultivating new sourcing regions in the future, visitors can get a glimpse of the innovation when they stop by the company’s booth at the Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show.
Explore an interactive space of new packaging options, tools, campaign materials, and an endless supply of market knowledge from Avo Experts at booth #3963 come October. 
