Origine Group Acquires Italian Fruit Producer with Eye on Overseas Markets

August 10, 2018

Origine Group, a consortium of leading international fruit and vegetable producers and marketers has acquired Compagnia Italiana della Frutta, the company behind the brand names “Made in Blu” and “Frutaly”, for an undisclosed amount. 

Origine Group was founded in 2015 through a strategic alliance between 10  fresh fruit and vegetable companies with combined annual turnover of more than 1 billion Euro (US$1.14 billion). Within the group are: Afe, Apofruit, C2 Fruit, Great Fruit Zani, Kiwi One, Op Kiwi Sun, Pempa-Corer, Salvi-Unacoa,  Spreafico, and Chile-based Del Curto.

The group works cooperatively, joining their resources to explore innovations and to develop new varieties of fruit and vegetables with emerging markets in mind. Initially, Origine Group focused on kiwis and pears under the brand names Sweeki and PeraItalia, which see combined sales of 200,000 tons across the whole group, however, the consortium is willing to apply its strategy to other products.

The acquisition of Compagnia Italiana della Frutta is seen as fitting nicely into this business strategy – with two well-known brands selling kiwis, pears, apples, and summer fruit across various foreign markets, and a market value off up to 10 million Euro (US$11.4 million).

“With this operation we acquire an important heritage of brands and customers that will strengthen our capacity for commercial penetration on overseas markets, both those in which we are present and those where we want to enter,” said Alessandro Zampagna, general manager of Origine Group.

Fresh Horizons

Consumer demand for fresh fruit and vegetables grew at a steady pace of 1.3 percent between 2011 and 2016, according to research firm Packaged Facts, which forecasts that demand in the category will continue to grow through 2021.

A combination of multiple factors including shifting consumer preferences, rising standards of living, and improved supply chain and storage infrastructure enabling many more fruits to be shipped over longer distances are resulting in sustained growth in the fresh fruit trade, states Rabobank’s 2018 World Fruit Map.  

Much of the increase in trade has been focused on the U.S., Germany, and China, however, emerging markets are playing an increasingly greater role on the international stage, according to the report.

The addition of Compagnia Italiana della Frutta to Origine Group will strengthen Origine’s position on the wider global market – giving it a portfolio of brands including Sweeki for kiwi; PeraItalia for premium pears; Made in Blu, and Fruitaly, and customers across China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

“As a result of this acquisition we hold a remarkable range of clients and brands, that will reinforce our commercial penetration in overseas markets, both acquired and future,” said Zampagna. “This gives us confidence for the 2018/19 season…”

-Lynda Kiernan

Lynda Kiernan is Editor with GAI Media and daily contributor to GAI News. If you would like to submit a contribution for consideration, please contact Ms. Kiernan at lkiernan@globalaginvesting.com.

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