A new company - Euroberryuk - has been formed from an alliance between two established grower-owned companies from both sides of the Atlantic.
England-based Wellpict-European Ltd and Hortifrut of Chile have between them a broad and strong production base around the world to provide UK customers with an entire berry range offer.
Wellpict-European specialises in strawberries and has over 1,600 acres under production from South Africa to Scotland. Its US partner, Wellpict Inc. of Watsonville California, is the largest strawberry producer in the US, with more than 6,000 acres of production.
Hortifrut has forged a successful route with lesser-known berries and has a significant market share both in the US and Europe in the production and supply of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries 52 weeks a year. Both companies have invested heavily in new production techniques, varieties and expanding their growing regions. “This ethos will be carried forward by Euroberryuk, which will be dedicated to serving retailers directly and ensuring customers get unbeatable quality and service,” said a joint statement.
Heading up Euroberryuk is Andrew Thomas, who has been in the produce industry for more than 20 years. On the alliance, he said: “They complement each other and I am pleased to be part of a grower organisation in a category that is set for significant growth in years to come.”
With berries - and blueberries in particular - being promoted in the consumer press and by celebrity chefs as ‘super foods’, sales growth in UK retailers continues to hit triple figures on a year-on-year basis. “Consumer interest shows little sign of slowing down and with research showing that only one in every 10 people in the UK has ever sampled a blueberry the signs are certainly good for Euroberryuk,” the statement said.
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