An Australian-based food innovation company has doubled its avocado production after the opening of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mexico.
Naturo Technologies launched its 'All Natural' avocado range called Natavo™ Avocado in 2018, and now the company has partnered with a third-generation family business in Mexico, Gonzamex Procesados, who have built a brand new purpose-built facility specifically for the product. Naturo Director Ross Harris says the Mexican facility gives access to North American customers, which has previously not been possible from their South African facility.
"We started production in the Mexican facility at the beginning of this year and we have shipped to 10 different countries including the USA and Canada," he said. "The facility has enabled us to double our capacity. It's also enabled us to service the United States, which we previously haven't been able to from South Africa due to trade restrictions on South African avocado imports. So, the Mexican facility has really opened up this market for us."
Naturo is still processing from its South African location where its manufacturing partner is Blue Skies Holdings. Blue Skies has also made some major upgrades to the South African facility, which has increased throughput and efficiency and allows the product to reach more locations across the globe.
"The Natavo product has always found a great position with the sushi market, where processors and retailers utilise avocado in a big way," Mr Harris said. "Particularly in the United States, sushi is a more than $31billion market and it is growing exponentially. We're now talking to all the major sushi producers in the country and many of their retailers as well, so that has been really good for us. The other market that has opened in the US has been the Hispanic restaurant market. Mexican and Hispanic food is huge, and they use a lot of avocados. What we have discovered is that they have found buying fresh avocados challenging and really like the consistent supply and price of Natavo Avocado."
All the avocado is sourced locally in both Mexico and South Africa and Mr Harris says they are processed within 10-14 days of harvesting.
"With Natavo we have a world-first technology that stalls the browning enzyme in the avocado for up to 10 days," he said. "Our product allows customers in the US to be more creative with their product development and offer avocado in applications where it has previously been impossible due to it browning. We've had great feedback from our customers about their further use of avocado."
Natavo Avocado has also been nominated for an Innovation Award for the new Natavo Wedges product at SIAL in Paris next month. Natavo Wedges is a quarter of an avocado with all of the Natavo non-browning properties.
"This product enables chefs to Slice the Avocado into artistic shapes," Mr Harris said. "We will be showcasing Wedges at SIAL in Paris in October. SIAL is one of the largest food expos in the world. It is a biannual event and at SIAL they showcase new innovative products, and we have been fortunate to be nominated for one of those awards. We are proud of Natavo and to be recognised in this manner. Our stand details in SIAL are 5A V 124. Look for the big Avocado sign hanging from above our stand."
For more information
Ross Harris
Naturo Technologies
Phone: +61 7 5324 1417
[email protected]
www.naturotechnologies.com