Westfalia Fruit International (WFI) has concluded a transaction with Chile-based fruit-supply group Agricom. According to the companies, the partnership secures a leading position in global avocado supply.
The transaction will align the two organisations’ interests in the Americas in order to maximise synergies, building on their common legacies of innovation and sustainability, while delivering a reliable supply of quality avocados and other produce to better serve their customers in global markets.
Founded in 1980 by entrepreneur Rodrigo Barros, Agricom pioneered the production and export of Chilean fresh fruit to become one of the country’s leading fresh fruit exporters. In 2005, the Santiago-based firm established a strategic alliance in Mexico with Aztecavo, a prominent Mexican-owned exporter of avocados. Agricom also has interests in other Latin American countries including Peru (Incavo). Agricom currently exports avocados, lemons, mandarins, stone fruit, apples, cherries, berries, pomegranates and nuts.
This diverse product range is complemented by Westfalia’s marketing channels in Europe and the USA, while WFI’s production in and exports from Colombia and Peru serve to enhance Agricom’s position in Latin America. Already recognized for its supply of avocados in Africa and Europe, Westfalia has chosen to partner with Agricom with the aim of securing a leadership position in the Americas.
Says Claus Lippert, CEO of the Hans Merensky Holdings Group (HMH) of which Westfalia Fruit is a subsidiary: “Our joint purpose is to be the preferred supplier to our customer base – ensuring reliable year-round supply from multiple global sources; delivering leading technology and plant material; and providing all the provenances that assure quality and sustainability to satisfy consumers’ preferences consistently.
“Westfalia is very proud to be associated with Agricom, with whom we share common values of integrity, innovation, quality and food safety. Westfalia and Agricom share a strong focus on research and innovation, world-class technology, as well as highest standards of quality control and regulatory compliance. Sustainable business, social and environmental strategies have contributed to the success of our organisations in our respective regions, as do the supportive and transparent relationships we have established with producers, customers and the communities in which we operate.”
The deal is expected to create exciting developments within the global fresh produce arena, including the targeting of Asian markets with their increasing appetite for high-quality fruit.
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Contacts
Rodrigo Barros, President
Agricom
Claus Lippert, Chief Executive Officer
HMH
Julia Tew, Group Corporate Communications Manager
Westfalia Fruit