Mission Produce Clears HSR Hurdle, Sets July 2026 Target for Calavo Merger Completion

Mission Produce announced its agreement to merge with Calavo Growers on January 14, 2026. This transaction outlines Calavo becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mission Produce, aiming to create a larger, more integrated entity within the global avocado and fresh produce industries. The move seeks to combine operations and market reach.

A crucial regulatory milestone occurred when the HSR Act waiting period expired at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 17, 2026. The Hart-Scott-Rodino Act mandates that companies planning significant mergers and acquisitions notify U.S. federal antitrust agencies. This allows for a review of potential anti-competitive impacts on markets and consumers. The expiration of this waiting period officially clears a major federal hurdle, satisfying one of the critical conditions required for the merger to proceed.

The administrative groundwork for the merger also saw progress, with the merger registration statement becoming effective on March 20, 2026. Following this, joint proxy materials began mailing to shareholders of both companies around March 25, 2026. These materials detail the proposed transaction, enabling shareholders to make informed decisions for their upcoming votes on the merger agreement.

With the HSR Act condition now satisfied, Mission Produce and Calavo Growers anticipate completing the merger by the close of the fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2026. This timeline remains contingent on the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Key among these are receiving approval from both Mission Produce stockholders and Calavo shareholders. Additionally, the transaction requires securing necessary regulatory approval from Mexican antitrust authorities, which represents another distinct and essential step.

The market will closely monitor the upcoming shareholder votes from both companies, which determine investor support for the deal. The decision from Mexican antitrust regulators also represents a significant pending approval. These remaining conditions are critical for Mission Produce and Calavo Growers to finalize their integration within the ambitious July 2026 target.