Freska Produce International has announced it is nearing completion of its cold storage expansion in Nogales, Arizona, which is set to double capacity for the avocado and mango-focused company. 

Company representative Jesus Loza said the increase in volume over the last few years had forced Freska to expand in order to handle current and future growth. 

He explained the new expansion would allow all the operations to remain under one roof, bolstering food safety and product freshness.

"This is a very important step for our overall control of our product and getting it to our customers as fresh and safe as possible," Loza said.

Freska broke ground on the project in July 2016 to boost capacity in the major entry point from Mexico into the U.S.

The company said its growth meant it was having to outsource cooling in previous years to other local coolers, but with the expansion all the volume will now be handled in the same location.

Construction is expected to finish up in time for the Mexican mango season that kicks off in February 2017.

Established in 2004, Freska are now major market players in the mango markets of the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

In December last year the company announced the acquisition of an expansion of its avocado business with the purchase of California-based packer Harvest Time Produce. 

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