European organics firm Pro Natura has acquired French organics company Bioprim, in a move expected to strengthen the portfolio and customer base of each operator.

The deal, which was completed on May 23, is set to achieve Pro Natura a turnover of E80 million in 2007 and reinforce the firm’s role in the European organic sector. Bioprim has worked in the organic fruit and veg market for over 20 years, and operates from a logistical hub in Perpignan, conveniently located between the French and Spanish border.

With an annual growth rate pegged at 20 per cent, Pro Natura is continuing its “downstream deployment” strategy in a bid to come closer to its clients and widen its supply base.

Henri de Pazzis, founder and manager of Pro Natura, which has 192 staff at its marketing and production sites across Provence, Brittany, the Languedoc-Roussillon region, Belgium, Morocco and Togo, told FPJ: “Bioprim has a Spanish branch and is particularly strong in product from this country, thanks to the presence of a technician on the ground year-round with growers.

“Bioprim and Pro Natura complement each other well, and both our companies will be enriched in terms of their product range and their client base,” he added.