Spain’s SanLucar buys “controlling stake” in US berries firm Twin River

Spain-based fruit-and-vegetable supplier SanLucar has acquired a "controlling ownership stake" successful US-based Twin River Berries.

In a statement, SanLucar said the concern volition "significantly expand" its operations successful North America, gathering connected its introduction into the US marketplace 3 years ago.

The transaction is framed arsenic a semipermanent concern betwixt the 2 businesses. It volition besides see Oregon Berry, a Twin River marque described arsenic "well known" crossed Asia.

Financial presumption were not disclosed.

SanLucar Fruit laminitis and proprietor Stephan Rötzer said: "This concern is simply a milestone successful our travel to bring bonzer sensation to consumers astir the world.

"Twin River Berries shares our passionateness for quality, our committedness to liable agriculture, and our content that premium effect should beryllium disposable each time of the year."

Twin River Berries, which traces its roots backmost to 2004, grows and markets caller berries. It was formally formed successful 2015 and scaled its operations into a year-round programme to shipping 52 weeks a twelvemonth successful 2018, according to its website.

The steadfast sources berries from Oregon, Washington, Peru, Mexico, Chile and Argentina.

According to SanLucar, the tie-up creates a "unified company" that volition service customers crossed North America and Asia arsenic a "single, integrated operation".

The institution added the concern volition payment retailers done a broader proviso basal and year-round availability, portion offering "expanded marketplace access" and "stronger commercial" programmes for growers.

The transaction secures SanLucar a caller accumulation footprint successful Mexico via Twin River's existing programmes. The institution said the summation should enactment "winter and shoulder-season" proviso and amended logistics arsenic the combined concern targets a 52-week availability model.

Twin River Berries president and CEO Ben Escoe said: "Joining forces with SanLucar accelerates everything we've been building.

"Their genetics, planetary reach, and marque enactment combined with our US increasing level make a powerhouse uniquely positioned to service customers who request the precise best. This is simply a concern built connected shared values and a shared content successful what premium effect should be."

Valencia-headquartered SanLucar was founded successful 1993. The institution produces much than 100 effect and rootlike varieties—alongside juices, smoothies, and olive oil—distributing its portfolio crossed much than 35 countries. The radical generates astir €1bn successful yearly gross and employs astir 5,000 people.

The woody follows SanLucar's acquisition past twelvemonth of a involvement successful French caller nutrient exporter and importer Buonanno.

"Spain's SanLucar buys "controlling stake" successful US berries steadfast Twin River" was primitively created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.