Chinese produce company Lantao International says an avocado promotional campaign underway at thousands of Pagoda stores nationwide has so far garnered very positive results.

The importer and distributor opened an avocado ripening center in Shanghai in April this year as part of its joint venture with California-headquartered Mission Produce.

The companies also established a partnership with retailer Pagoda to sell their Mr. Avocado brand fruit.

A summer campaign promoting the ready-to-eat fruit got underway in mid-August, both online and in more than 2,500 Pagoda stores around China.

Two weeks into the campaign, Lantao told Fresh Fruit Portal the consumer response had been "explosive" and that Pagoda stores had been enthusiastic in taking part.

Daily avocado sales are some stores were said to have doubled, and shoppers have reportedly shown an interest in learning more about the fruit.

Lantao added many stores that had not taken part in the campaign were now willing to try selling Mr. Avocado brand fruit.

Much of the campaign's success was down to fruit quality and the ready-to-eat nature of the avocados, it said.

An account for Mr. Avocado on WeChat - China's equivalent to Twitter - also helped to spread the world about the avocado sales. 

The campaign is due to last for a few more weeks.

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