Estero, FL – In October of last year, Hortifrut, BB #:154303 an owner of Naturipe Foods BB #:165382 and a world leader in the production and commercialization of fresh and frozen berries, and Alifrut, a subsidiary of Duncan Fox and the largest processor and exporter of frozen fruits and vegetables in Chile, signed an agreement to merge their operations of frozen export products in equal parts.
The purpose of this merger is promoting the international development and growth of innovative products with added value, adapting to the new lifestyles of consumers in world-wide markets, including the United States, Europe, Asia and Oceania. The merger was finalized on July 31, 2020, and the new company is called Vitafoods.
The newly formed Vitafoods joins Munger Farms BB #:125047 to lead Naturipe Foods into the future with an additional estimated volume of 70 million pounds of available product, making it a very relevant global player in its category in international markets.
“Because of consumers’ overall desire for better nutrition, paired with current consumption trends, which have accelerated intensely due to the pandemic, we have seen a significant increase in sales of frozen foods in global markets. We believe that this increase in consumption will continue over time, so we expect great growth opportunities for the category of value-added frozen fruits and vegetables in the main markets of the world. Our new partnership uniquely positions us with the increased operational capacity to meet this demand,” said Gonzalo Bachelet, General Manager of Vitafoods.
The Naturipe Foods Sales and Marketing structure will continue operations as with past ownership.
About Naturipe:
The Naturipe Family of Companies are all farmer-owned producers and marketer of nutritious, best tasting, premium berries and avocados that has been an industry leader for more than 100 years in producing healthy and delicious fresh, frozen and value-added products. Because our diverse grower base shares resources, skills, labor and knowledge, we are better farmers and in turn strengthen the local farm community. Our focus on innovation ensures year-round availability of locally grown and Globally Local conventional and organic fruit.
