Belgium-based produce giant Univeg has snapped up Empire World Trade, a UK importer and distributor of top fruit.

Univeg said the deal, struck for an undisclosed sum, would help it grow its business in the UK.

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The company has two entities in the country. It runs Univeg UK, which distributes fresh fruit and veg, plus dried fruits, throughout the UK and Ireland. The other, Winchester Growers, grows flowers and potted plants.

The acquisition of Spalding-based EWT gives Univeg’s UK arm “an added dimension”, the company said.

“With the EWT team on-board we see this as an ideal opportunity to build a significant market share for Univeg’s own production in top fruit,” Univeg said.

With the new acquisition, Univeg said the joint businesses would become Univeg UK and be managed by Alan Forrester and Mike Harpham, as joint MDs. David Pratt, as the former MD of EWT, will become a director of Univeg UK.

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