Calavo Growers INC: insider trades · United States · SEC (Form 4)

About Calavo Growers INC

Calavo Growers, Inc. is a U.S. agro-food company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker CVGW, in the United States. For international investors, Calavo is best understood as a specialist in fresh produce and avocado-based foods, with a business model spanning sourcing, packing, distribution, and value-added processing. The company describes itself as a global leader in avocados, tomatoes, and papayas, and as a pioneer in prepared guacamole and other avocado-based products. Calavo’s origins date back to 1924, when the California Avocado Growers Exchange was founded as a grower-member cooperative. The Calavo brand was introduced in the 1920s and gradually became synonymous with avocados in the U.S. market. Over time, the group expanded beyond its original cooperative roots into an industrial and branded produce platform. It now highlights more than 100 years of history, with key milestones including the expansion into Hawaiian papayas, the opening of avocado packing operations in Mexico, and the later addition of tomatoes and prepared foods. The company is headquartered in Santa Paula, California, and its operating footprint is concentrated in California and Mexico, two strategically important regions for produce sourcing and processing. From an operating perspective, Calavo is structured around fresh products and prepared foods. Its fresh segment covers avocados and tomatoes, while its prepared foods business is centered on guacamole and related avocado-based items. Papayas also remain part of the portfolio. This mix gives the company exposure to both commodity-linked produce economics and higher-margin value-added products. Calavo sells through its own brand, proprietary sub-brands, private label programs, and store brands, which broadens its customer reach across retail and foodservice channels. In competitive terms, Calavo holds a recognized niche position in avocados, where supply-chain expertise, ripening capability, quality control, and cross-border sourcing are critical differentiators. The company has historically invested early in ripening and sorting technology, helping support operational consistency. At the same time, its market remains highly competitive and cyclical, with exposure to crop availability, pricing pressure, transportation dynamics, and import-related regulatory risk. Calavo’s scale and brand recognition provide an advantage, but execution matters significantly in this category. Recent developments are important for investors. In January 2026, Calavo reported fiscal 2025 results showing annual revenue of $648.4 million, alongside a sharp improvement in net income and adjusted EBITDA versus the prior year. The company also announced a strategic combination with Mission Produce, Inc. in a cash-and-stock transaction, which is a major corporate event and could reshape the competitive landscape. Fiscal 2025 results also reflected discrete costs tied to an FDA detention hold on certain avocado imports from Mexico, and the company continued to cooperate with SEC and DOJ FCPA-related investigations. Overall, Calavo remains a specialized U.S.-listed produce company with a strong avocado heritage and a meaningful strategic transition underway.