"The new marketing approach through the inner cities will increase consumer recognition of avocados and lead to more Chinese people trying the fruit for the first time," John Wang, chief executive of Lantao, said.

One of the drawbacks here is that the fruit's flavor is neither sweet nor sour. Because of this, avocados are less popular than other tropical and subtropical products such as mango and durian.

The challenge now for distributors is to introduce the fruit outside specialized supermarkets. Mexican producers are also working on increasing consumption by promoting the health benefits of avocados.

Looking ahead, producers and distributors remain confident that exports to China will continue to expand in the coming years.

"We see demand for avocados continuing at a hot pace, and exceeding double-digit growth rates over the next two years," Provost of Lantao said.

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