Mission Produce Business Summary

Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO) operates as a vertically integrated global leader in the sourcing, production, and distribution of fresh Hass avocados, with expanding operations in mangos and blueberries. The company generates revenue primarily through transaction-based sales across three core business segments: Marketing & Distribution, which services retail, wholesale, and foodservice customers in over 25 countries; International Farming, which manages over 10,000 acres of owned orchards in Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala; and a dedicated Blueberries segment. Mission’s competitive moat is built upon its proprietary ripening technology and a year-round global supply chain that mitigates seasonal volatility. Within the market, Mission Produce maintains a dominant leadership position, competing directly with Calavo Growers, Inc., West Pak Avocado, and Freshway Foods, while distinguishing itself through its extensive owned-farming assets and high-capacity distribution network. The company is led by co-founder Stephen J. Barnard, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer but is slated to transition to Executive Chairman in April 2026. John Pawlowski, the current President and Chief Operating Officer with over 25 years of food industry experience at J.M. Smucker and Lipari Foods, is the designated successor for the CEO role. The executive team is supported by Chief Financial Officer Bryan Giles, a CPA with over two decades of management experience, and General Counsel Joanne Wu. The Board of Directors is currently undergoing a strategic refresh, led by Lead Independent Director Linda B. Segre and including recent appointees such as Laura Flanagan. Notably, the company recently adopted a limited-duration stockholder rights plan in response to significant share accumulation by strategic investor Globalharvest Holdings Venture Ltd.