The volume of bagged avocados continues to increase every year as consumers seek convenience and/or value options, and retailers discover another way to merchandise avocados and drive sales of multiple pieces of fruit.

Eco Farms, Temecula, Calif., has doubled the ripening capacity in its packinghouse, said Gahl Crane, sales director.

Mission Produce Inc., Oxnard, Calif., has hired Mike Browne as chief operating officer, according to a news release.

Exports typically don’t account for much of the volume from California avocado grower-shippers, but most companies have at least a small export program, which they say can be quite lucrative.

The Mission Viejo, Calif.-based Hass Avocado Board is looking for a few good men and women to serve as board members, according to a news release.

Just as demand for conventional avocados continues to climb, so does demand for their organic counterparts.

Several California growers offer the new GEM avocado, but credit for bringing the variety to the forefront should go to Index Fresh Inc., Riverside, Calif.

In the banana business, process is almost as important as product, according to some marketers. Organic bananas continue to gain market traction, marketers point out.

As more consumers eat more avocados during more dayparts, the fruit is turning up on more restaurant menus.

Hass is by far the most popular avocado variety gown in California, but consumers who crave other kinds of avocados have a number of options available from the state’s growers.