Mission Produce to Market Irvine Avocados

Mission Produce Inc., an Oxnard avocado distributor, has signed a $7-million contract to market avocados grown in Orange County by Newport Beach-based Irvine Co.

Mission, which represents more than 1,000 California growers, will market all 4 million pounds of avocados produced by Irvine from now until the end of the year, according to Mission President Steve Barnard.

“Irvine is the biggest independent avocado grower in California,” Barnard said. “We hope to have an ongoing relationship with them.”

Mission will open an office in Orange County to service the new contract. The company’s annual sales exceed $50 million.