Oppy, a grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce from around the world, has joined forces with table grape owner, grower, packer and shipper Sun Grape USA to establish Sun Grape California LLC — an Oppy Company.
"This joint venture was developed to redefine excellence in the category by consolidating and securing a consistent supply of high-quality grapes," says Oppy’s president and chief operating officer David Smith.
“We have aspired to become California grape growers for a very long time,” said Smith. “The quality and excellence displayed in Sun Grape’s farming operations deeply resonate with our values, making this a synergistic collaboration.”
Oppy will expand its year-round reach from Peru, Brazil, Chile, South Africa and Mexico, with Sun Grape’s nearly 1,500 acres of land in California.
This collaboration blends a multinational reach with extensive experience. This union positions Oppy to significantly complement its offerings with California table grapes and enables Sun Grape to expand its distribution.
"When we decided we were ready to expand, we weren’t going to partner with just anyone. We were looking for a collaboration that would help us realize our goals to expand in the U.S. market,” says Sammy Cacciatore, owner and president of Sun Grape USA. “Our family has known Oppy for over 50 years, so there’s been a long-standing relationship.”
David Smith and Piers Hanbury of Oppy.
Introducing new acreage from San Joaquin Valley in mid-2023, Oppy will expand its year-round reach from Peru, Brazil, Chile, South Africa and Mexico, with Sun Grape’s nearly 1,500 acres of land in California.
“This partnership is vital as we aim to bring uniformity across the board — from volume, quality, varieties and beyond. Sun Grape’s expertise in farming makes them an ideal partner,” says Piers Hanbury, Oppy’s executive director of category development.
Together this new entity will represent a significant portion of the Californian table grape industry.
Right: Sammy Cacciatore
The joint venture will encompass Sun Grape’s marketing division and the family’s farming division, which will provide expertise from development, daily operations, packing, cold storage, variety testing and sustainability services. Their best-in-class farming practices incorporate the latest methods and technology, ensuring vines achieve the best quality fruit and receive optimal care.
This partnership is official as of February 6, 2024, with Cacciatore as president of operations. The team will begin working together on the Mexican season, while Sun Grape California LLC — An Oppy Company will begin shipping products in early July from their new cold storage facility and offices in Delano. Combining their offices in Visalia, Sun Grape will add its location in Montreal, Quebec to Oppy’s sales network throughout North and South America and Asia.
For more information:
Kelsey Van Lissum
Oppy
Tel.: +1 (604) 461-6779
kelsey.van.lissum@oppy.com
https://sungrape.oppy.com/