Fyffes invests in American melons

Fyffes is has announced that it has entered the US winter melon business by investing in a number of independent companies including farming operations in Honduras and Guatemala and the acquisition of 60% of Sol Group Marketing Company based in Pompano Beach, Florida.

In separate transactions, Fyffes has also invested in an 85,000 sq ft warehouse and cold storage facility where most of the imported fruit is distributed from, and has acquired the right to ship all the fruit imported by Sol Group Marketing from Honduras and Guatemala.

Sol Group Marketing imports close to 8 million boxes of winter season melons annually into the US, for sale to major retailers and fresh cut fruit processors, making it the second largest importer of winter melons in this market.

This integrated investment at all levels in the supply chain ensures Fyffes and Sol continue to provide customers with a consistent supply of the best quality winter melons available in the US.

Rafael Nir has been named president and CEO of Sol Group Marketing.

David McCann, Chairman of Fyffes, said: "Sol Group Marketing has developed a strong position in the US winter melon sector based on high levels of service and delivery of top quality product to its customers. We look forward to working with Rafi and his team in developing this business further."