West Pak Avocado’s roadmap to retailer success for California season
With the 2026 California avocado season officially underway, and peak promotable volume anticipated from April through August, West Pak Avocado is encouraging retailers to capitalize on the strong projected volume.
To drive category performance and meet consumer demand for fresh, locally grown fruit, the global avocado supplier offers strategic programs with seasonal storytelling, bag initiatives, and premium variety differentiation.
“At West Pak, we are proud to partner with our retailers, providing innovative programs and merchandising support to leverage this exceptional volume and help drive significant category growth,” said company CEO Mario Pacheco.
West Pak Avocado's Mario Pacheco
A California avocado season full of opportunities
The California Avocado Commission forecasts the state’s 2026 harvest at an impressive 330 million pounds, marking the third consecutive year the crop is expected to exceed the 300 million-pound milestone. The commission's estimate includes a crop breakdown of 310 million pounds of Hass and 20 million pounds of premium varieties such as GEM and Lamb Hass.
At peak harvest, the commission anticipates promotable volumes between 10 and 15 million pounds per week. This robust volume ensures a steady supply of premium California avocados and provides retailers with a clear opportunity to plan promotions throughout spring and summer.
“We encourage retailers to showcase high-quality, locally grown fruit through the peak months, starting now and gaining momentum into California Avocado Month in June," said company Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Joe Nava. "Our lineup, including California-centric bags and our Farm-to-Table PLU program, provides retailers with a roadmap for a successful season."
The firm's California lineup for spring-summer execution offers solutions to drive easy implementation and significant impact for retailers. At the forefront is West Pak’s California Gold bag, which features both conventional and organic varieties. This bag program was designed to enhance key promotional moments while meeting the rising shopper demand for value, convenience, and consistent sizing.
Additionally, the California GEM Avocados bag presents a compelling trade-up opportunity for retailers. These GEM avocados are slightly larger than the popular Hass variety and boast thick, dark green, and easy-to-peel skin with gold flecks when ripe. This specialty fruit offers a creamy, buttery texture complemented by a subtle nuttiness, ensuring consumers enjoy the familiar flavors and eating quality they expect.
West Pak tells the complete story
To further engage with shoppers who value transparency and local sourcing, West Pak presents its Farm-to-Table story. This initiative provides customized PLUs that emphasize the fruit's California origins and forge a direct connection between consumers and local growers. By fostering this connection, the company helps cultivate a community of mindful consumers who value freshness, quality, and the stories behind their food.
Together, the producer's offerings provide a roadmap for retailers looking to maximize impact throughout the season. West Pak advises retailers to align merchandising and promotional strategies ahead of peak availability, particularly aligning with California Avocado Month in June, to maintain strong category momentum throughout the season.
*All images courtesy of West Pak Avocado
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