Avocados keep getting more popular, but their quality sometimes disappoints consumers. Syros, a Belgian company specializing in avocado processing, has devised an innovative alternative: Smashed Avocado.
"Considering how many bananas are consumed, things look good for avocados," says the company's Miet Vanderyse. Projections show that, by 2030, avocados will be the most popular fruit in Europe. Besides fresh use, the demand for processed avocado products, like guacamole and spreads, is on the rise, too.
Syros is cleverly capitalizing on this trend with Smashed Avocado. "We want to accelerate growth by offering people convenient products." Smashed Avocado is a ready-to-use solution that shoppers can use immediately without having to pick and choose avocados.
The idea for Smashed Avocado originated in the hospitality sector. Restaurant chains needed a more efficient way to serve avocado. "A lot can go wrong when cutting and preparing avocado. So, we came up with an avocado pulp that chefs can use right away," says Miet.
The decision to also develop Smashed Avocado for the retail sector sprang from a common consumer frustration. "If you want to make guacamole, you must first visit the supermarket and feel several avocados to determine if they're ripe. Often, you buy three to end up with one good one. It's a bit like playing the lottery - you have to get lucky. That's why we wanted to develop a product that removes that uncertainty."
Smashed Avocado is 99% avocado, with a bit of sea salt and lime juice to preserve the flavor. It is pasteurized using a high-pressure process. The product can thus last for 28 days with no added preservatives.
Its sustainable approach is another plus. When processing avocados, there is always residual material, such as peels and pits. Instead of throwing that away, Syros has set up a circular process. "We work with a partner in the Netherlands that turns our avocado waste into oil," Miet explains. "We're also working to see what else can be extracted from the waste streams, like starch and nutrients."
The goal is to be in every major Dutch and Belgian retailer within three years. In the Netherlands, Albert Heijn was the first to show interest and has already included Smashed Avocado in their Terra assortment. "Our promotions and recipes have clearly highlighted Smashed Avocado's benefits. And once people understand how convenient the product is, they keep buying it," Mier concludes.
Syros NV
T: +32-50 814 500
www.syrosnv.com
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