Devos and Wouters to form one of Europe’s largest fruit companies when they combine their trading divisions in August 2025
Two of Belgium’s largest family-owned fruit suppliers, Devos Group and Fruithandel Romain Wouters, are to merge their commercial trading operations in 2025, Fruitnet has learned.
In a statement, the companies confirmed their intention to combine their sales divisions into one entity called Devos-Wouters at the start of next August, ahead of the next European apple and pear season.
Both companies are significant players in the apple and pear business, with sizeable production areas, strong links to the local and European markets, and export operations that serve customers around the world.
Devos also produces and markets smaller volumes of cherries and berries, while Wouters also supplies some soft fruit, tomatoes, and peppers.
According to the companies, the merger brings together two partners with similar attributes – familial ethos, innovation in supply and production through new varieties, in-house production, and a commitment to exceptional service for both customers and growers.
“Our families have been friends for years and share the same values and vision,” explained Silke Wouters. “We both started as growers and will continue to produce fruit with passion in the future. That is our foundation.”
She added: “Our trading companies perfectly complement each other, each with their own specialties and markets. This collaboration feels natural, and we are tremendously excited about what the future holds.”
Pieter Devos added: “The familial character of our businesses is crucial. A merger can only succeed if both parties share the same vision. With Devos-Wouters, we aim to establish a strong brand that serves producers and customers alike. Together, we are stronger than ever.”
Benefits for all
The merger is expected to include further vertical integration of production, cooling, sorting, and packaging, as well as a further strengthening and expansion of sales activities.
Devos-Wouters’ diverse portfolio promises a unique product range for customers: from exclusive apple and pear varieties, to classics such as Conference, Doyenné du Comice, Jonagold, Gala, and more.
The companies said they were confident the merged group would provide customers with larger volumes, greater reliability of supply, even more professional and faster service, and a fuller range of apples and pears, from production to packaging.
Devos-Wouters also plans to expand its business in soft fruits in the future, they added.
For growers too, meanwhile, the merger looks set to open new opportunities.
Over the past few decades, both Devos and Wouters have invested in exclusive varieties such as QTee, Primo, Rubis Gold, Early Desire, Queen’s Forelle, PiqaBoo, Xenia, and – unveiled as brand just a week ago – Prevar’s double scab-resistant GoodnessMe.
Devos and Wouters will make their first public appearance since the announcement later this week at Belgian trade show Fructura Expo.
