We're delighted to have as our guest on this episode Rob Ybarra, founder and CEO of Chico Produce and a 35-year produce retail veteran. Before he moved to the supply side of the industry, Rob spent more than 35 years in produce retail, including stints as director of produce for H-E-B Mexico, Lowe's Pay-N-Save, Coborn’s and Rouses Markets. The focus of this conversation is avocados. When The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle read the headlines about big avocado suppliers declaring force majeure in late May, she wanted to talk with Rob about what happened on that occasion as well as discuss Mexican avocados more broadly. In this conversation, Rob talks about standard volatility of supply versus what unfolded earlier this year; how Chico navigated the sudden increase in prices; how he prepared for and responded to sudden supply and price changes when he was on the retail side; what importers and retailers can learn from what happened in May; the seasonality of Mexican avocados and how oil content and dry matter varies; and his outlook and recommendations to retailers for the rest of the 2026. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did! 

<p>We're delighted to have as our guest on this episode Rob Ybarra, founder and CEO of Chico Produce and a 35-year produce retail veteran. Before he moved to the supply side of the industry, Rob spent more than 35 years in produce retail, including stints as director of produce for H-E-B Mexico, Lowe's Pay-N-Save, Coborn&rsquo;s and Rouses Markets. The focus of this conversation is avocados. When The Produce Retail Podcast host Ashley Nickle read the headlines about big avocado suppliers declaring force majeure in late May, she wanted to talk with Rob about what happened on that occasion as well as discuss Mexican avocados more broadly. In this conversation, Rob talks about standard volatility of supply versus what unfolded earlier this year; how Chico navigated the sudden increase in prices; how he prepared for and responded to sudden supply and price changes when he was on the retail side; what importers and retailers can learn from what happened in May; the seasonality of Mexican avocados and how oil content and dry matter varies; and his outlook and recommendations to retailers for the rest of the 2026. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!&nbsp;</p>

The Produce Retail Podcast is the place for thought leaders in the industry to talk shop. Join us for conversations on strategy, business partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and much more. We'll have regular guests as well as more occasional visitors, and the goal is always to deliver conversations that inform, inspire and ultimately illuminate opportunities for growth. This podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, produce industry enthusiast and founder and CEO of Ashley Nickle Growth Strategies.  

<p>The Produce Retail Podcast is the place for thought leaders in the industry to talk shop. Join us for conversations on strategy, business partnerships, planning, training, leadership, communication, merchandising and much more. We'll have regular guests as well as more occasional visitors, and the goal is always to deliver conversations that inform, inspire and ultimately illuminate opportunities for growth. This podcast is hosted by Ashley Nickle, produce industry enthusiast and founder and CEO of Ashley Nickle Growth Strategies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>