Amid a landscape of economic uncertainty, the UK's appetite for avocados remains undeterred.
Leading importer Worldwide Fruit is seizing this opportunity, demonstrating impressive growth in the avocado market.
Strategic Growth
Mark Everett, Director of the company’s avocado business unit, notes a 12.5% increase in sales in recent months, driven by the "ripe and ready to eat" segment.
This growth is mirrored in the company's operations. Importing roughly a million avocados weekly, primarily from Peru, Chile, and South Africa, the company handled nearly 60 million avocados in 2023, approaching a £30 million turnover.
Innovation and Investment
This success isn't accidental. Strategic procurement, focusing on large-scale suppliers, has been key. Yet, it's the adoption of innovative technology, Softripe, that has truly set them apart.
Everett calls Softripe a "game-changer". This pioneering ripening technology, the first of its kind in Europe, allows for precise control over the ripening process, ensuring consistency and reducing waste.
"With Softripe, we found a system where we can get the fruit from an individual producer or even pallet to ripen far more consistently," Everett explains. This translates to a superior product for the consumer and cost savings for the company, with 30% less energy consumption per kilo.
Brand Recognition
Confident in their product quality, Worldwide Fruit has launched its own avocado brand, targeting the wholesale and foodservice trade. Early signs suggest success, with Senior Technical Manager Alison Tagg attributing it to the "complete consistency" achieved through Softripe and strategic procurement.
Worldwide Fruit's success story is a testament to well-timed investment, strategic planning, and a commitment to quality. As the UK's avocado market continues to grow, Worldwide Fruit is well-positioned to reap the rewards.
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