From its Ancient Roots to Global Phenomenon

Did you know avocados have been around since 5000 BC? Originating in south-central Mexico, they were once a hidden gem until the early 20th century, when they started gaining worldwide popularity. While there are several types of avocados, the Hass variety is the superstar, known for its pebbly skin and rich, creamy flesh. It’s this variety, introduced in the 1920s, that helped catapult the avocado to fruit stardom and making it the beloved fruit it is today. Other favourites include Fuerte, Bacon, Ryan, Reed, and Pinkerton, each with its unique flavour and texture. Avocados are now grown in tropical and subtropical regions, with top producers including Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, in the United States, avocados are hugely popular, especially in the states of California and Florida, which produce about 90% of the country’s supply. Europe, particularly the UK, Spain, and France, is also falling in love with avocados too, importing large quantities to meet the growing demand. And it’s not just the West–Asia, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East are all seeing a rise in avocado consumption.

Since 1970, MWW has been a leader in bringing top-quality avocados to the UK and Western Europe. The Mehta family started it all, and we’ve been committed to quality and sustainability ever since. We take pride in every step of the avocado journey. It all starts on our farms, where our expert farmers monitor each tree to pick the fruit at its peak. Once harvested, the avocados are sorted, graded, and packed with increasing use of the latest AI technology to ensure only the best fruit make it to our customers.

Avocados don’t ripen on the tree, so we use controlled atmosphere storage to manage their ripening perfectly. They’re then shipped worldwide, keeping them fresh and delicious until they reach your local store. We make sure every avocado that reaches supermarket shelves is perfect.

One reason why avocado demand is skyrocketing is because people love their health benefits, like healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants. According to the OECD/FAO Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030 report, avocados will become the second-most traded major tropical fruit by 2030.

Despite this, we’re aware of the environmental concerns around avocado farming and are committed to sustainable practices. This includes pivoting to sources with better water management techniques and long-term soil health management to ensure we’re farming responsibly for future generations.

So, next time you enjoy an avocado, remember the journey it took to get to your plate and the passion behind every step. Here’s to many more delicious and nutritious National Avocados Days!