Fruit heavyweight Unifrutti Group has expanded its presence in Peru with the acquisition of table grape supplier Safco.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The deal sees Unifrutti acquiring 100% of Safco from Chilean fruit company Rio King and other minority shareholders.
Safco – which includes Global Agro Peru and Safco Peru – operates around 560 hectares of table grape farms and two packhouses in Ica, Peru.
The business supplies premium table grapes to US retailers, focusing on proprietary varieties such as Cotton Candy, Sweet Globe, and Autumn Crisp.
In a statement today (12 December), Unifrutti said the deal “consolidates” its position as a “leading” table grape grower and exporter in the Southern Hemisphere.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe acquisition takes the group to more than 4,300 hectares of table grape farms and an annual production of about 15 million boxes.
“The integration of Safco enables Unifrutti to serve US customers seamlessly from September through June, sourcing from grape farms in Piura and Ica in Peru, Copiapó in northern Chile, and extending through central Chile,” the statement read.
This is “complemented” by farms in Italy and South Africa for customers in Europe, it added.
Completion of the Safco deal is contingent on customary closing conditions.
Mohamed Elsarky, CEO of Unifrutti, said: “This acquisition marks another step in our journey to build the world’s leading sustainable multi-fruit company with a 52-week integrated supply.
“By integrating Safco’s premium varieties and capabilities, we reinforce our ability to serve leading retailers and distributors worldwide.”
Unifrutti has expanded through a series of acquisitions.
In March 2024, Unifrutti acquired Peruvian peer Bomarea and the local operations of AvoAmerica for undisclosed sums.
It snapped up Bomarea and AvoAmerica Peru from US-based agribusiness investment firm Solum Partners and US fresh produce company Alpine Fresh.
At the time, Unifrutti said the deals would add “premium blueberries and avocados” to its portfolio and expand its access to key markets including the US and China.
In January last year, the company also bought Verfrut, a Chile-based fruit supplier and exporter.
Unifrutti currently manages 16,000 hectares, supplying over 1,000 customers in more than 50 countries.
The group employs about 29,000 people across its core operations in Chile, Peru, Italy, South Africa, the Philippines, and Japan, and is headquartered in the UAE.
