Recently-formed Spanish horticultural organisation Unica Group has welcomed Valencia-based fresh produce group Quality Distribution Fruits (QDF) into its ranks, as part of a strategic deal that will see the two companies collaborate commercially.

Under the terms of the agreement, both groups have agreed to share 'commercial synergies' in terms of products, clients and countries, while both will jointly purchase production materials with the objective of lowering costs.

In a statement, Unica Group managing director Enrique de los Rios said: 'The commercial collaboration has already started and the initial results indicate that there are great syngeries that can be developed.'

Rafael Navarro, president and director general of QDF, said: 'Through this action we are seeking to make our growers more profitable by belonging to a group that supports more products, over a longer period of time and offers the best service to our clients.'

Unica Group, which was formed earlier this year, is comprised of five Andalusian cooperatives – Cabasc, Casur, Cohorsan, Ferva and Agrieco.

For its part, QDF is made up of eight cooperatives that are located from Valencia to Huelva, namely Cofrutex in Seville, Alfonseca in Huelva, Fratoma in Valencia, Fruilar in Lérida, Mercacolonia, Sunarán and Palma de Rio in Cordoba, and Surinver in Alicante.

According to Unica Group, the commercial collaboration will see the two groups together handling some 450,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables, worth an estimated €220m. Products that will be marketed under the agreement include tomatoes, peppers, citrus, berries, melons and watermelons.

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