Company Description
Mission Produce, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVO) is a global business in the fresh produce industry focused on Hass avocados, mangos and blueberries. According to company disclosures, Mission Produce has been sourcing, producing and distributing fresh Hass avocados since 1983 and now delivers fresh Hass avocados and mangos to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in more than 25 countries. The company also grows blueberries as part of a diversified produce portfolio.
Mission Produce is described in its public communications as a vertically integrated enterprise. Its operations span growing, sourcing, packing, marketing and distribution of avocados and other fresh produce. The company reports ownership of state-of-the-art packing facilities in several key growing regions, including the United States, Mexico, Peru and Guatemala. Through these facilities and its sourcing capabilities across more than 20 premium growing regions, Mission Produce aims to provide a year-round supply of premium fresh fruit.
Mission Produce’s global distribution network includes forward distribution centers across major markets in North America, China, Europe and the United Kingdom. At these locations, the company offers value-added services such as ripening, bagging, custom packing and logistical management. These services are intended to support retail, wholesale and foodservice customers by tailoring fruit condition and packaging to their needs.
Business Segments and Operations
Mission Produce reports three primary business segments in its financial results:
- Marketing & Distribution – This segment sources and distributes fruit globally and generates the majority of the company’s revenue. It focuses on avocado volume growth and per-unit margin performance, and it also handles mangos and other produce sourced from multiple regions.
- International Farming – This segment owns and operates avocado orchards, with a substantial portion of its fruit sold to the Marketing & Distribution segment. The company highlights owned orchards in Peru and mentions operations in Guatemala, where it has invested in packhouse construction. The International Farming segment’s results are closely tied to harvest seasons, particularly the Peruvian avocado harvest, which typically runs from April through September.
- Blueberries – This segment farms blueberries that are sold under an exclusive marketing arrangement. Sales are generally concentrated in periods that align with the Peruvian blueberry harvest season, and the company has invested in blueberry plant cultivation and related infrastructure in Peru.
Mission Produce’s public filings and news releases emphasize the importance of its global sourcing network. The company cites sourcing capabilities in more than 20 growing regions, including countries such as Mexico, Peru and Guatemala, and has referenced additional sourcing capabilities in other Latin American and Southern Hemisphere locations. This broad sourcing base supports its ability to manage seasonal shifts in supply and provide consistent volumes to customers.
Geographic Footprint
Mission Produce states that it delivers fresh Hass avocados and mangos to customers in over 25 countries. Its distribution network includes forward distribution centers in North America, China, Europe and the UK, which are described as strategically positioned in key markets. The company’s packing facilities are located in the U.S., Mexico, Peru and Guatemala, and it has highlighted avocado orchard development and packhouse construction activities in Guatemala, as well as orchard and blueberry development in Peru.
The company is headquartered in Oxnard, California, as indicated in its SEC filings and news releases. It is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol AVO.
Corporate Developments and Strategy
Mission Produce has communicated a strategy focused on expanding its role in the global avocado category and broadening its fresh produce offerings. In its financial communications, the company highlights record revenues and growth in avocado volumes, supported by its integrated global platform. It has also invested in capital projects such as packhouse construction and orchard development to support long-term supply and distribution capabilities.
In January 2026, Mission Produce announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Calavo Growers, Inc. in a cash-and-stock transaction. Calavo is described as a provider of fresh avocados, tomatoes, papayas and value-added prepared foods such as guacamole. Mission Produce states that this proposed acquisition is intended to expand its North American avocado business, diversify its portfolio across fresh produce categories and represent an entry into the prepared food segment, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder approvals. The company characterizes the combination as a way to enhance sourcing security, broaden its product mix and support business model diversification.
Mission Produce’s public statements also discuss its focus on cash flow generation, capital expenditure management and the use of non-GAAP measures such as adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA to analyze underlying business results. The company notes that its operating cash flows are seasonal, reflecting harvest cycles and working capital requirements in its International Farming and Blueberries segments.
Leadership and Governance
The company has announced a leadership succession plan in which its President and Chief Operating Officer, John Pawlowski, is expected to become Chief Executive Officer following the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, with co-founder Steve Barnard transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Mission Produce has also reported a board refreshment initiative, adding independent directors with backgrounds in food, agriculture, consumer products and agribusiness.
These governance updates, along with detailed employment and compensation arrangements disclosed in SEC filings, provide investors with insight into the company’s leadership structure and succession planning.
Stock and Regulatory Profile
Mission Produce’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol AVO. SEC filings confirm that the company’s registered securities consist of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. The company regularly files current reports on Form 8-K to disclose material events such as financial results, leadership changes, board appointments and investor presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What does Mission Produce, Inc. do?
Mission Produce is involved in sourcing, producing, packing, marketing and distributing fresh Hass avocados and mangos, and it also grows blueberries. The company serves retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in more than 25 countries and offers value-added services such as ripening, bagging, custom packing and logistical management through its distribution network. - How is Mission Produce’s business organized?
The company reports three segments: Marketing & Distribution, which sources and distributes fruit globally; International Farming, which owns and operates avocado orchards and supplies fruit largely to the Marketing & Distribution segment; and Blueberries, which farms blueberries sold under an exclusive marketing agreement. - Where does Mission Produce operate?
Mission Produce reports ownership of packing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Peru and Guatemala. It also cites sourcing capabilities across more than 20 premium growing regions and operates a global distribution network with forward distribution centers in North America, China, Europe and the UK. - Who are Mission Produce’s customers?
According to the company’s descriptions, Mission Produce serves retail, wholesale and foodservice customers. These customers purchase fresh Hass avocados and mangos, and in some cases blueberries, across more than 25 countries. - What is Mission Produce’s relationship to Calavo Growers, Inc.?
Mission Produce has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Calavo Growers, Inc. in a cash-and-stock transaction. The proposed acquisition is described as a way to expand Mission’s North American avocado business, diversify its fresh produce portfolio and enter the prepared food segment, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and other customary closing conditions. - How does seasonality affect Mission Produce?
The company notes that results in its International Farming and Blueberries segments are influenced by harvest seasons. For example, the Peruvian avocado harvest typically runs from April through September, and the Peruvian blueberry harvest season drives concentration of blueberry sales in certain quarters. These cycles affect revenue timing, margins and working capital needs. - What financial metrics does Mission Produce highlight?
In its earnings releases, Mission Produce discusses metrics such as revenue, net income, adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA. It provides reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to comparable GAAP figures and explains that these measures are used to analyze underlying business performance. - Where is Mission Produce headquartered and where is its stock listed?
Mission Produce is headquartered in Oxnard, California, as indicated in its SEC filings. Its common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol AVO.
Stock Performance
Mission Produce (AVO) stock last traded at $14.70, down 0.82% from the previous close. Over the past 12 months, the stock has gained 46.7%. At a market capitalization of $1.1B, AVO is classified as a small-cap stock with approximately 70.8M shares outstanding.
Latest News
Mission Produce has 10 recent news articles. Of the recent coverage, 8 articles coincided with positive price movement and 2 with negative movement. Key topics include earnings, earnings date, acquisition, management. View all AVO news →
SEC Filings
Mission Produce has filed 5 recent SEC filings, including 3 Form 8-K, 1 Form 4, 1 Form 425. The most recent filing was submitted on April 9, 2026. SEC filings provide transparency into a company's financial condition, material events, and regulatory compliance. View all AVO SEC filings →
Insider Radar
Insider buying activity at Mission Produce over the past 90 days may reflect management confidence in the company's direction. Institutional investors and analysts often monitor insider purchases as a potential bullish indicator for the stock.
Financial Highlights
Mission Produce generated $1.4B in revenue over the trailing twelve months, retaining a 11.6% gross margin, operating income reached $65.2M (4.7% operating margin), and net income was $37.7M, reflecting a 2.7% net profit margin. Diluted earnings per share stood at $0.53. The company generated $88.6M in operating cash flow. With a current ratio of 1.86, the balance sheet reflects a strong liquidity position.
Upcoming Events
Calavo acquisition close
Acquisition expected to close
Rights plan expiration
Mission Produce has 3 upcoming scheduled events. The next event, "Calavo acquisition close", is scheduled for July 1, 2026 (in 82 days). Investors can track these dates to stay informed about potential catalysts that may affect the AVO stock price.
Short Interest History
Short interest in Mission Produce (AVO) currently stands at 4.7 million shares, up 6.7% from the previous reporting period, representing 12.0% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 275.6%. This moderate level of short interest indicates notable bearish positioning. The 6.2 days to cover indicates moderate liquidity for short covering.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Mission Produce (AVO) currently stands at 6.2 days. This moderate days-to-cover ratio suggests reasonable liquidity for short covering, requiring about a week of average trading volume. The days to cover has increased 54.6% over the past year, indicating either rising short interest or declining trading volume. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.5 to 9.2 days.
AVO Company Profile & Sector Positioning
Mission Produce (AVO) operates in the Food Distribution industry within the broader Consumer Defensive sector and is listed on the NASDAQ. In monthly performance, the stock ranks #1,196 among all tracked companies.
Investors comparing AVO often look at related companies in the same sector, including Spartannash Co (SPTN), Calavo Growers (CVGW), Andersons Inc (ANDE), United Natural Foods (UNFI), and G Willi Food Intl Ltd (WILC). Comparing financial metrics, valuation ratios, and stock performance across these peers can help investors evaluate AVO's relative position within its industry.