Volume-driven Strategy

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Volume Up, Price Down: Can AVO Balance Growth With Profitability?
ZACKSยท 2025-07-21 14:06
Core Insights - Mission Produce Inc. (AVO) is focusing on a volume-driven strategy to enhance its competitive position in the fresh produce market, particularly in avocados, mangos, and blueberries, amid changing consumer preferences and global supply chain challenges [1][2] Group 1: Company Performance - AVO has reported a significant increase in volume for its core products, with avocado volumes expected to rise over 100% this season due to a recovery from last year's weather-affected harvest [2] - The company is expanding its operations to meet rising global demand and penetrate new markets, including Europe and the U.K., supported by strong grower relationships and global sourcing flexibility [2] - Despite the volume increase, AVO anticipates a 10-15% year-over-year decline in avocado prices due to oversupply in the U.S. and international markets, which may compress gross margins [3][8] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - AVO faces strong competition from Calavo Growers, Inc. (CVGW) and Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (FDP), both of which have established operations in the avocado sector and focus on product quality and supply chain optimization [4][5][6] - Calavo emphasizes integrated operations and a broad customer base, while FDP is focused on enhancing profitability through innovation and strategic growth in emerging markets [5][6] Group 3: Financial Metrics - AVO's shares have increased by 15.1% over the last three months, outperforming the industry growth of 14.2% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23.97X, significantly higher than the industry average of 15.36X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings decline of 20.3% for both fiscal 2025 and 2026, with estimates remaining unchanged over the past week [10]