Two Naturipe Farms partners, California-based Munger Brothers and Chile-based Hortifrut, have announced intentions to merge their operations by the end of the year to form Munger-Hortifrut North America Inc. The new entity, which will be a subsidiary of Hortifrut SA, will form a consolidated, global berry operation with operations in British Columbia, Washington State, Oregon, California, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Owned by David and Kable Munger, and with over 3,000 acres between British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and Mexico, Munger Brothers is the largest fresh blueberry producer in North America. The company is also the developer of proprietary berry varieties, new production and post-harvest techniques, and innovative methods for fruit processing and packaging. In addition, in 2011 the company launched their proprietary, first-of-its-kind “Ready to Eat” pre-portioned, consumer berry snack packs.
The merger of the two Naturipe Farms partners is expected to extend and deepen the collaboration the two companies have benefitted from over the years, and is expected to solidify Hortifrut’s standing as a major global berry company.
“Both are leading berry companies, highly innovative with experienced and knowledgeable management teams who have consistently focused on exceptional customer and consumer experiences, said Naturipe Farms CEO, Dwight Ferguson in a press release announcing the merger. “This merger will continue to expand Naturipe’s sourcing and distribution of North and South American grown berries and enhance our ability to provide a consistent, secure supply of premium, great tasting berries for our expanding domestic and global customer base.”
Growing with the Organic Market
Munger Brothers has also made investments over the past five years to support the company’s expansion of both conventional and organic berry acreage, packaging capacity, and the construction of new processing facilities for the production of dried, frozen and value-added fruit products.
“Both the Mungers and Hortifrut (as well as our other owners MBG Marketing and Naturipe Berry Growers) have made significant investments in organic berry production and the future plans call for additional new and transitional acreage,” Robert Verloop, EVP Marketing, Naturipe Farms told GAI News. “We anticipate continued growth in consumer demand for organic berries and produce in general. We are very committed to expanding and sustaining organic production, the rate of growth is directly related to consumer demand, available land in the proper locations, and growing conditions that favor organic production.”