The Unica Group has today (11 June) announced its formation as the largest fruit and vegetable grower in Andalusia and one of the largest at a European level.

The new company, which will begin trading together in September 2009, comprises four leading Almerian cooperatives - Casur, Cabasc, Cohorsan and Ferva - who together boast of total of 650 growers.

Its combined 1,800ha produce over 140,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables per annum with a sales volume of €145m.

The group produces tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, courgettes, watermelons, aubergines, melons and beans and is switching all the fields to natural pest control systems, which drastically reduce the need for pesticides, with some falling under organic certification.

President of the Unica Group, José Martinez Portero, said: 'At Unica we base our strategy on the produce-partner concept, to ensure that our clients are offered unique flexibility, strategic thinking and exceptional service to help them realise their vision.

'Our mission is to build close, long lasting relationships as we work in unison with our partners to increase profits and satisfy the end consumer.'


In a statement, the company said its aim was 'to unite and increase productivity in order to reduce costs and offer clients economies of scale, streamlined processing methods and to deliver exceptional service'.

'The mission is to build close, long lasting relationships with our partners to increase the rotation of products on shelves and ultimately increase their profits and satisfy the end consumer,' the group added.