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Unifrutti, the world‘s leading producer and distributor of fresh fruit, is strengthened in Chile and Peru with the acquisition of 100% of Verfrut, producer and exporter of fresh products in the two South American countries, where it manages over 7,500 hectares of agricultural crops and centers fully integrated machining systems.
The operation represents – as said by Mohamed Elsarky, to Unifrutti – a strategic milestone, which will allow the growth of the group and strengthen its commitment to excellence and innovation. Founded in Eritrea by the Venetian Guido de Nadai and since 2022 part of Adq – an investment and holding company based in Abu Dhabi – the company serves more than 50 countries throughout the year, distributing around 500 thousand tonnes of fresh fruit to over 500 customers spread across Italy, Japan, Chile, South Africa, the Philippines, Spain, Uruguay, Turkey, the Middle East, China and India, thanks to its 14 thousand hectares of land in Chile, Italy, the Philippines and South Africa. It employs 11 thousand people.
Verfrut – recognized as Peru’s largest grape exporter – grows a wide range of products, including grapes, cherries, apples and blueberries and has a strong sales and distribution network in the US, EU, South America and China. It is a fully integrated company, with a projection of more than 25 million boxes exported in the coming years (more than 16 million last season).
The acquisition of the South American company will make Unifrutti one of the most important fruit companies in Chile, one of the largest grape and cherry production centers globally and one of the main operators in the southern hemisphere apple sector.
It will also broaden Unifrutti’s reach into Peru, a key hub in the fresh produce sector, and is therefore seen by management as a crucial step towards creating the leading global platform for the marketing of integrated and sustainable fruit.