Australian fresh produce trader N&A Group has signalled an expanded focus on its import business with the appointment of veteran Sydney-based importer Chris Antico, who takes up a new role with the group’s Pacific Fruit Brokers prepacking and import division today (Monday June 18).
“Both Chris and our team are excited by the opportunities that exist for both incumbent and new suppliers to grow their market presence in Australia through the extensive distribution network that only the N&A Group can provide,” the company said in a statement.
Antico comes to the company with many years of experience in the Australian fresh produce import business, and brings with him an extended client network from his own trading business, Chris Antico Pty Ltd, which will now be wound down.
“It was very flattering that Rob Cathels `N&A Group CEO` asked me to join his company,” Antico told Produce Plus.
“Coming into a larger company to strengthen their import division, there’s a lot more scope to grow. Pacific Fruit has been one of my largest clients over the years, so it seems quite natural to join together.”
The shift of Antico’s import business under the N&A Group umbrella is part of a larger trend in the Australian produce industry, which has seen significant consolidation in recent years.
“I feel I was one of the last smaller importers in Australia, and with the way the industry in the last year has been heading and a lot of big players coming into the industry, it’s become marginalised for small traders,” Antico explained.
The Sydney-based N&A Group is one of Australia’s largest fresh produce grower-packer-marketers. Pacific Fruit Brokers is one of the group’s four divisions.
The importer’s main lines include New Zealand kiwifruit and avocados, and US citrus, grapes and cherries. “We’re also interested in bringing in US stonefruit when it’s granted access to the Australian market,” added Antico.
