Mission Produce has promoted John Pawlowski to head up the US-based avocado and mango supplier as CEO.
Pawlowski, who is currently president and chief operating officer, will take up the role at the close of the company’s annual meeting of shareholders in April.
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He will succeed founder and existing CEO Steve Barnard, who moves to the position of executive chairman and will provide “strategic oversight”.
Pawlowski joined Mission Produce in April 2024. He has previously served as president and COO of Lipari Foods. He also spent more than 16 years at CPG giant JM Smucker, including as vice president of its international division.
Pawlowski said: “Mission is positioned to keep elevating the avocado and mango experience – partnering with retailers and foodservice operators to grow consumption, improve consistency, and accelerate growth.
“I am excited to lead our talented team as we continue to focus on operational excellence, strong grower relationships, and category-building programmes that create value across the supply chain.”
The leadership change was announced alongside Mission Produce’s full-year results.
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By GlobalDataAnnual revenue rose 13% to $1.39bn in the 12 months to 31 October.
Mission Produce attributed the growth to “strong execution” in its marketing and distribution business and “significantly higher” yields from its Peruvian orchards sitting within the international farming division.
Net income attributable to the company rose 3% to $37.7m, or $0.53 per diluted share versus $0.52 a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA also increased 3% to $110.8m.
In the fourth quarter, total revenue fell 10% to $319m, primarily reflecting lower pricing in marketing and distribution.
The company said a 27% drop in average per-unit avocado sales prices was partly offset by a 13% increase in avocado volumes.
Net income attributable to Mission Produce for the quarter was $16m, or $0.22 per diluted share. Comparable figures were $17.3m and $0.24.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter rose 12% to $41.4m, supported by increased avocado production in international farming and higher avocado volumes in marketing and distribution.
For the first quarter of the new fiscal year, the company expects avocado volumes to increase about 10% and prices to be about 25% lower than the prior-year period.
Barnard said: “We enter fiscal 2026 with strong financial momentum and a very healthy balance sheet. We generated more than $180m of operating cash flow over the past two years.
“With our heavy capital investment cycle now complete and capital expenditures expected to step down to approximately $40m in fiscal 2026, we are positioned to accelerate free cash flow generation, which provides us with great flexibility to create value for our shareholders.”
