Premium packing, practical support and 36 years’ expertise.
This article was produced by DMS and is being published on the New Zealand Herald as advertorial.
At DMS, our love of avocados is more than just a taste preference – it’s a passion.
“I personally love avocados,” says Hamish. “They look great and taste fantastic.” And at DMS, that appreciation goes well beyond the lunchroom. For 36 years, our company has been packing premium avocados and kiwifruit for export and local markets, building a reputation for quality, care and consistency.
Over the past three years, DMS has made significant investments into its avocado packing operation. A state-of-the-art bin tip, advanced fruit in-feed systems and water blaster technology ensure fruit is handled gently and efficiently from the moment it arrives. The addition of camera grading technology (Invision), alongside ongoing staff training and high-quality packing equipment, reflects a clear commitment: protecting growers’ fruit and delivering top-quality produce to every market.
Behind the technology is a team deeply committed to the industry. The DMS avocado division includes five dedicated Grower Service Representatives and an Avogreen pest monitoring team. Collectively, we bring more than 50 years’ experience in avocados and over 75 years in post-harvest and horticulture.
But it’s not just experience that sets us apart – it’s attitude.
The DMS team isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. Whether it’s picking, planting, tractor driving or helping coordinate logistics, we work alongside growers to support orchards in a practical, hands-on way.
“We understand that no two orchards are the same,” says Hamish. “There’s always more than one way to get the job done.” Recognising that every property, and every grower, operates differently is central to DMS’ approach. Just as importantly, the team values strong personal relationships, knowing that finding the right fit between grower and representative is key to long-term success.
The 2025/26 season is currently drawing to a close, with local market harvests wrapping up. DMS packed more than 260,000 Class 1 export trays for AVOCO, completing export volumes at the end of January. For the local market, the team has packed just shy of 200,000 trays across Class 2 and 3 fruit.
Like any season, it brought both challenges and achievements. One of the most significant events was the severe wind event in September 2025, which caused widespread damage across many orchards. In the aftermath, the industry’s resilience shone through. Growers and teams rallied together, helped one another, reworked plans and pushed forward.
For DMS, the response embodied one of its core values: ‘Together we Achieve.’
It was heart-warming to see everyone come together. We work with a great bunch of growers, and that fuels our drive to do what we do every day.
As the company looks ahead to the next season, DMS is inviting growers who share that same passion for quality and collaboration to join us.
If you’re interested in becoming part of the DMS family, we would love to hear from you.