DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Grupo MACAPI recently welcomed the United States Ambassador Robin Bernstein for a tour of its Avocado Farms in “Los Calimetes, Elias Pinas," Dominican Republic. The U.S. Ambassador was joined by Agricultural and Marketing staff members, Lisa Ahramjian and Elizabeth Autry.

Manuel Castillo Pimentel, President of Grupo MACAPI, and his family explained to the diplomat the entire production process from the production of the plants to the cutting and processing. The Castillo Lora family has been growing avocados for over 30 years. In addition to the popular Hass Avocados, Grupo MACAPI grows a variety of tropical avocados including Semil and Carla and processes a number of avocado and fruit pulps using HPP technology in Quita Sueno under the LUV brand.

Grupo MACAPI has over 1900 employees and exports over 500 loads a year. Since 1997, Grupo MACAPI has been operating in the United States under the name Fresh Directions International with U.S. distribution coast to coast under the brands, Avopro and LUV.

Bernstein was greeted by the CEO and Founder, Manuel Castillo and his wife, Maritza Castillo along with their children Manuel Jr., Altagracia, Priscilla, Antonio, and Sabrina.

The U.S. ambassador toured various avocado growing regions across the Dominican Republic, where Grupo MACAPI are producing avocados spanning over 50 thousand hectors (125,000 acres). The Hass Avocado grove in Los Calimetes is one of the largest single farms that spans over 2000 hectors (5,000 acres). Hass Avocados from the Dominican Republic are known for incredible quality and a premium eating experience.

Grupo MACAPI