Paramount Citrus has announced a major addition to its citrus portfolio with the acquisition of a 3,844ha lime grove in the Mexican state of Tabasco.
The move cements the US-based company’s position as the largest vertically integrated provider of Persian limes to North America, according to a company press release.
To complement the acquisition, Paramount Citrus said it is in the process of planting an additional 809ha of limes at its current operations in Mexico and will this year open a 100,000ft2 state-of-the-art packing facility in the country.
“With this acquisition, Paramount Citrus will provide customers with a seamless experience in what currently is a very fragmented market,” said David Krause, president of Paramount Citrus.
“This property makes Paramount Citrus one the largest fully integrated growers and shippers of limes year-round, which is tremendously important to the retail and food service industry in North America.”
According to the company, limes are one of the fastest growing varieties in the citrus category and feature highly in the foodservice industry and beverage business because of their versatility.
The citrus fruit is also a popular staple in a variety of cultural cuisines such as Mexican, south-western, Thai, Vietnamese and Middle Eastern dishes, the firm said.
The company said it is now in the process of introducing its growing practices to the Mexico-based properties and will introduce fruit from the groves into its North American and international channels of distribution.
In 2008 Paramount Citrus acquired 2428ha of existing lemon properties in the vicinity of Victoria, Mexico.
Since that time the group has added a significant amount of infrastructure (offices, packing facilities, irrigation systems, etc.) to its current Mexican operations.
“Paramount Citrus’ experience in Mexico has prepared the company to deliver the quality, consistency and food safety standards to the lime industry,” added Mr Krause.
“We took our time to understand and improve the lemon practices, and now we plan to learn about Persian limes with the same passion and precision.”
Paramount Citrus grows, exports and packs fresh citrus from its facilities in the US San Joaquin Valley and Mexico for distribution in North America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim.
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