Suppliers Expanding
With more demand and more loads coming across the border, several businesses have had to expand to keep up. Villita Avocados found available storage space was a challenge this past year. “On average, in past years we’ve brought in roughly 5.5 million boxes of avocados, but this year it was 7.5 million, and certain times it got tough,” says DeBerry.
The company’s new packing center in Uruapan will allow the release of two shipments a day, which will greatly increase the company’s ability to bring more fruit to the border. The facility boasts the “latest technology in both cooling and ethylene controls. Our current warehouse holds about 65 loads and the new one will hold approximately 200 loads, and will have 6 ripening rooms and a 40-load capacity freezer.” The developments will allow Villita to fulfill its own needs as well as offer repack services to others.
Traveler Produce’s Camacho believes the boom supports enough business for everyone. “Hidalgo County is growing in infrastructure and commerce-wise. There’s a variety of produce companies, which means more competency and services in the area. For example, there are more cold storage services and every month warehouses are being built.”
“In the long run, all of these changes and updates should add additional shelf life to fruit, which will help customers have better, consistent quality they can rely on,” remarks DeBerry.
Technology Ups Its Role
Another way Villita Avocados is responding to the need for better quality is through better technology in its transportation services. The company recently launched a fleet of 20 trucks with thermal tracking to monitor temperatures every mile. “Maintaining the cold chain the entire time is very important to avocados, to extend shelf life,” DeBerry says.
Camacho agrees, and sees technology playing an increasingly important role in the fresh produce supply chain. “To give produce long shelf life while it is being stored or transported, we need technology,” he affirms.
Traveler Produce also keeps an eye on its assets while on the road. “Each day we use temperature recorders that let you know not only the temperature but also track the truck,” Camacho says. In addition, the company’s sales team has a mobile app allowing them to view inventory in real time.
“Technology is not an expense,” Camacho insists, “it is an investment.” Whether it’s food safety regulations from the field to the store, or ongoing communication, technology is crucial. “We need it to keep growers, buyers, and shippers informed,” he notes, and is happy with the improvement in produce software. “At Eagle Cold Storage, we know what pallet is in what position on the rack, we monitor temperatures, and we offer new ramps where product is never in touch with the environment.”
