AM Fresh Group and leading Chilean table grape producer-exporter Rio Blanco have announced the creation of Terramara Fresh, a new sustainable table grape joint venture in Mexico.
The news comes less than a month after AM Fresh announced the acquisition of fruit breeder IFG and its merger with table grape breeding and development group SNFL.
Rio Blanco has long had a presence in Mexico through its Terramara operation, the newly formed Terramara Fresh will focus on production of a diverse array of premium varieties in Mexico, to offer customers a breadth of high-flavoured, disease resistant, and high-antioxidant table grape varieties.
Alvaro Muñoz, chief executive of AM Fresh Group said the combined agri-tech and farming expertise of the two companies would accelerate farming innovation to the forefront of fruit growing practices.
“At AM Fresh we seek to deliver the next generation of innovative table grape varieties and together with Rio Blanco we have the thrilling opportunity to excite consumers with delicious, healthy and natural varieties produced under sustainable practices, as well as to extend the growing season to meet growing demand,” said Muñoz.
Sandro Peppi, chairman of Rio Blanco said a sustainable approach would be critical for the company and the region it will operate in.
“In order to drive significant impact in the table grape industry in Mexico and to our export markets, it is critical that we combine our efforts with global grape experts and together accelerate a more sustainable future for Mexico and the table grape category,” said Peppi.
The new combined entity will be managed by Luis Felipe Montes, managing director of Terramara for the past nine years.
“We are thrilled by this joint venture and its objective to add growth, cooperation and new technology to Terramara in the development of new varieties and therefore get closer to retailers and consumers,” said Montes.
