Nov 6, 2007 9:17 AM

Maui Land & Pineapple Co Inc’s agricultural subsidiary, Maui Pineapple Co Ltd, has entered into an agreement with Calavo Growers Inc. Effective Dec 1, 2007, the California-based company will assume sales, marketing, and distribution of Maui Pineapple Co’s Maui Gold fresh pineapple throughout the continental United States and Canada.

Calavo has been a leader in the fresh avocado business since 1925. Its two principal business units, fresh avocados and perishable processed products, supply wholesale, retail, and foodservice distributors and operators. In 2003, Calavo acquired Maui Fresh International to become the largest importer of Hawaii-grown Kapoho Solo papayas. The firm also promotes and sells other tropical items from the islands. Maui Gold pineapple will round out its current Hawaii-grown product line.

Maui Pineapple Co will continue its sales and marketing operations in the mid-Pacific with a focus on growing consumption within Hawaii and in select Asian markets. The company will expand cultivation of its fresh pineapple on Maui to accommodate greater demand. Since the Maui Gold brand was introduced in 2005, fresh fruit sales have tripled, and currently demand for the golden fruit outpaces supply.