Calavo Growers, Inc. (CVGW)

In the past six months, Calavo Growers announced a $25 million stock repurchase program in March 2025. In April 2025, the company announced it would provide a general business update at its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In June 2025, the stock dropped 17.3% after weak fiscal Q2 results due to constrained supply and inspection delays, but shares jumped 9.5% after an unsolicited acquisition offer of $32 per share. In September 2025, the company reported Q3 financial results with a slight decrease in total net sales but an increase in prepared segment sales, and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share; following this report, the stock was down 13.4%. In October 2025, the share price was $26.19, an 8.11% decline from the previous year, and as of October 22, 2025, the stock price was $24.20.

Avocados, a major product for Calavo Growers, exhibit seasonality in demand and supply. While avocados are purchased year-round in the United States, seasonal influences impact retail sales, with the first quarter (January-March) now being the peak season. Domestic avocado production in the U.S. occurs between April and September, with the highest volumes in May, June, and July. To ensure year-round availability, the U.S. market relies heavily on imports, especially from Mexico and Peru, during the months when domestic volumes are low.

Calavo Growers, Inc. is a global leader in the avocado industry and a provider of value-added fresh food products, founded in 1924 and publicly traded on NASDAQ. The company operates in the agricultural food products sector and the food processing industry. Its core business is divided into the "Grown" segment, focusing on sourcing, packing, and distributing fresh avocados and other produce, and the "Prepared" segment, which includes ready-to-eat and value-added food items like guacamole and fresh-cut produce, marketed under various brands to a wide range of customers.

Calavo Growers has a significant global presence, with its headquarters in Santa Paula, California, and operations primarily focused on North America (USA, Mexico, Canada). Its distribution network extends to select international markets, including Asia and Europe. The company sources avocados and other fresh produce from key agricultural regions such as California, Mexico, and Peru. It operates packinghouses in the U.S. and Mexico, supported by a network of distribution and ripening centers across the U.S. The Prepared segment's manufacturing facilities are also located in the U.S. and Mexico.

Calavo Growers has strong brand recognition and market leadership in the avocado industry, emphasizing quality, sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. Its products are sold under the trusted Calavo brand name, proprietary sub-brands, private label, and store brands. There have been no major public events in the past year that have significantly negatively impacted Calavo Growers' brand reputation. The company's focus on sustainable growing practices, waste reduction, and quality control contributes to a positive image.

Calavo Growers is primarily owned by institutional shareholders, who hold approximately 74.47% of the company's stock, while insiders own about 26.98%, and retail investors hold 0.00%. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc., and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Key individual owners include J. Link Leavens, the largest individual shareholder, Der Kar Scott Van, Lecil E. Cole (CEO), and Kenneth J. Catchot.