This research project addresses the following research priorities as outlined in the 2009 CAC RFP:
- Improving the quality of avocado fruit at retail and the identification of points in the handling and distribution chain where a loss of quality and profits may be occurring.
- Define those fruit quality criteria or consumer perceptions of quality that may provide competitive advantage to California growers. Benchmark fruit quality against local harvest season timing, harvest conditions, imported fruit quality in the market in the same season, and/or environmental impacts of industry production practices on carbon and or pesticide footprints.
