Brazilian apple specialist Renar Maças is close to completing the integration of Pomifrai Fruticultura into the business, according to a press release from the group.
The merger, first announced back in December 2009, will turn Renar into one of the three largest apple producers in Brazil.
Already, the integration of Pomifrai has resulted in reduced production costs and debt re-negotiations for the company.
Indeed, the merger of the two companies should save around US$2.9m (€2.1m), on top of reduction in annual production costs of US$5.46m (€3.9m), Renar said.
Meanwhile, Marcelo Holtz, commercial director at Renar, said he is optimistic that the smaller Brazilian apple crop this season will contribute to the continued recovery of prices, after significant decreases in 2009 and early 2010.
In 2011, Renar is on course to handle 70,000 tonnes of apples from its own production.
