Australian grower-packer-marketer Nutrano Produce Group is set to significantly expand its operations after moving to acquire Sunraysia-based Nangiloc Colignan Farms (NCF).
The deal, which remains subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, will strengthen Nutrano's position as a leading player in the Australian citrus sector, having purchased another major Sunraysian grower, Seven Fields, in 2016.
'There are considerable opportunities for Nutrano to expand existing production on the farm as the varietal mix of citrus enhances Nutrano’s existing Sunwest brand citrus marketing and export programme,' explained Nutrano Produce Group managing director and CEO, Steven Chaur.
“The purchase makes Nutrano one of the largest growers of premium quality citrus in Sunraysia and the largest grower in Australia of premium, easy peel seedless Afourer mandarins, which are highly sought after by consumers in Australia and increasingly in Asia for their eating appeal.'
The acquisition will also add premium table and wine grapes to Nutrano’s product portfolio, which already includes citrus, mangoes, blueberries, avocados and soft produce.
Approximately 95 per cent of NCF’s table grapes are exported to customers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and China.
'The addition of premium table grapes to our product offering will be attractive to our existing domestic and export customers, as well as providing an additional income stream during the off peak citrus harvest period,' Chaur added.
Along with its own 700ha of citrus and grape production, NCF has long-established relationships with a network of third-party growers in the Sunraysia region.
As part of the terms of purchase, NCF founder Bruno Moras and current NCF staff will remain with the business to work with Nutrano management to ensure a successful transition of the farming operations and export business.
“We are excited by this opportunity, and we look forward to working with Nutrano to ensure all of NCF’s customers and suppliers have a successful 2018 harvest period and that the NCF operations have a smooth transition to Nutrano over the coming few months,” Moras said.
