Shropshire fruit grower and exporter expands global network with Dutch acquisition

International fruit grower and exporter The Jupiter Group is continuing its global expansion by acquiring Dutch fresh produce marketing company Cool Fresh International BV.

The acquisition by the Shropshire firm includes Cool Fresh International’s logistics division Saphir BV, and the Valencia (Spain) based commercial operation AgroMarketing Cool Fresh Espana.

Talking of the purchase strengthening Jupiter’s global reach, Mark Tweddle, CEO and group director, said: “We are extremely excited about bringing the team and expertise of Cool Fresh International into the Jupiter family.

“Our own grape and citrus production in countries such as South Africa, Greece, Chile and Argentina create great synergies with Cool Fresh International’s client base across 54 countries, meaning we can further explore the broad retail base across the UK, Europe, Asia and Africa.”

“We are fully geared to offer the added value this acquisition brings to the benefit of our retail, food service and wholesale clients all over the world. By 2021 we estimate the delivery of more than eight million cartons into our supply chain,” he added.

Cool Fresh International employs 43 people in its three locations.

“We are really excited to become part of Jupiter’s outstanding teams all over the world. The acquisition enables us to focus on our expertise, together offering our worldwide clients tailor-made, direct from farm solutions to their fresh produce requirements,” says Hugo Vermeulen, managing director of Cool Fresh International.

Jupiter has offices in six countries and has 150 employees.

The company was recently placed in the Top 25 of the Sunday Times International Track 200 list for the second consecutive year, and has enjoyed average annual sales growth of 107% over the last two years.

In November 2018 Jupiter acquired the South African citrus producer Bonaire, and recently started harvesting the first of its new table grape varieties planted in South Africa, India, South America and Greece.

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