Del Monte Fresh Produce has announced that it has signed an agreement with Rene Produce to form a joint venture that will sell and market tomatoes and other products grown in Mexico to customers in the US and Canada.
“We are very excited to join forces with Rene, one of Mexico’s outstanding fresh produce operators,” said Dennis Christou, vice-president of marketing at Del Monte. “The joint venture with Rene will allow us to sell and market Round, Roma, specialty, as well as organic tomatoes on a year-round basis in the US and Canada. We are also looking forward to working with Rene in the development of diversified vegetables including some of our proprietary varieties.
'Rene’s expansive farming operations have been augmented in 2015 with the addition of greenhouses in the state of Jalisco,' Christou continued. 'Combined with our iconic Del Monte brand, unparalleled distribution foot print and customer portfolio, this joint venture further demonstrates our continuous commitment to the category.'
According to the groups, Del Monte and Rene complement each other in their commitment to sustainability.
'Rene has an excellent reputation for its strong support they provide to their employees and their families,' Christou added. 'Like Del Monte, Rene has been supporting their employees and their families with housing programmes, child education services, breakfast programmes for children and community healthcare clinics.'
Rene Carillo, chief executive of Rene Produce, said that as growers, the group's aim has been to live by its philosophy of 'Reliability, Always'.
“We feel very strong about our growing operations, and now with the joint venture with Del Monte, utilising their superb sales/marketing team, we feel we can be one step closer to customers in their marketplace,' Carillo outlined.
