The deal, which was effected by the purchase of 100 per cent of Citronas's shares was 11-months in the making and subject to approval by Dutch competition authorities, will see the creation of the Netherlands' largest fruit company.

Fruitmasters general manager Rian Varwoart told the Journal: Citronas is a very good company with good people. It has excellent relationships with European supermarkets and while Fruitmasters is strong in the Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavia, Citronas is strong in Germany, France and the UK as well as the Netherlands.

"We broadened our product portfolio when we took over Nico de Jong two years ago, but increasingly our clients are asking us for even more of a total package, so we had to make our position bigger and stronger with the acquisition of Citronas. Now when a client wants a total package we can deliver it in the volume they require."

He said that the Citronas name will stay as it is well known and respected in the marketplace just as the names of Citronas subsidiaries Kardol and MFL will remain.

With Citronas on board group turnover at Fruitmasters is estimated at e300 million with a staff of 375.

Fruitmasters is the largest Dutch co-operative specialising in top and soft fruit. Citronas has a strong business in citrus, grape, exotics, stone fruit and top fruit from South Africa, South America and China.