Grupo Planasa takes over CVS to lead worldwide endive market

The Spanish company Grupo Planasa has taken over CVS (California Vegetables Specialties), the only firm growing endive in the United States. The Group, which is the world leading producer of this vegetable, strengthens its position in terms of production and expands its range with red and organic endive. 

Richard Collins founded CVS in 1987 with help from Marc Darbonne, grandfather of Alexandre Pierron-Darbonne, current president of Grupo Planasa. Until a few days ago, Planasa owned 27% of CVS, and with the acquisition of 100% of the North American company, which will continue to be managed by Richard Collins, the firm shows its full commitment to the endive sector.

CVS is the only company that grows endive in the United States. It is a vegetable with great potential for development in this country, acclaimed by top chefs and culinary press because of its healthy qualities and inimitable slightly bitter taste.

CVS is based in Rio Vista, California, and owns more than 115 hectares of crops with an average production of 1,750,000 kilos of white endive, 200,000 kilos of organic endive (certified since 2001) and 200,000 kilos of red endive. The company has about 60 employees, it has clients across the whole nation, especially in California and Florida, and it exports to overseas countries like Japan. With this acquisition, Planasa will exceed US$ 20 million in turnover in the U.S. this year.

Planasa is the world's leading endive producer, with a volume of 6,000 tonnes per year, and offers an exclusive just in time service. The warehouse that the company runs in Valtierra, in the Spanish region of Navarra, operates 365 days a year to ensure a regular supply, with a 100% guarantee of freshness.

The acquisition of CVS by Grupo Planasa is another step in the company's expansion in America, where it already had other subsidiaries in California, Mexico and Chile.