Dole completes JP shares purchase

Jamaica Producers Group Limited (JPG) yesterday accepted an offer from Dole for the purchase of JPG’s 65 per cent interest in the UK’s JP Fruit Distributors Limited (JPFD) at a price of $41.9 million. The JPG board reached this decision after extensive deliberations and the details of completion are still being finalized with Dole.

JPFD’s principal activities are fresh fruit trading and banana ripening in the United Kingdom. JPG is JPFD’s founding shareholder and has operated in the UK banana market since 1929. Dole has been a partner with JPG in JPFD since 1994 and has since then participated with JPG in the development of the business as a major player in the UK fruit market.

JPG continues to operate its farms in Jamaica and in Central America, and to build on its tradition and expertise in supplying quality fruit to the UK market.

Jamaica Producers is a diversified group of companies engaged in agriculture, the production of juices and smoothies, food processing, logistics and distribution in the UK, Jamaica and Central America. A JPG business, The Serious Food Company, is a leading producer of fresh juices and smoothies in the UK.