Spanish agricultural cooperative Anecoop has moved to strengthen its supply base with the acquisition of fresh produce grower Marfruit.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Find out more
Based in La Marina de Elche, Marfruit has around 2,000 hectares of its own production across Valencia, Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha.
In a statement, Anecoop said the addition of Marfruit as a new partner will help in “strengthening its structure”, while increasing the company’s commercial offering in fruit and vegetables by around 50,000 tonnes.
Anecoop president Alejandro Monzón said: “We continue to move forward, showcasing a quality offering that, after this new addition, grows in both product and volume; strengthening a business structure that is increasingly better prepared to face the future challenges our sector faces, with the primary objective of improving the profitability of our farmers.”
Marfruit, which has operated for 49 years, produces close to 30,000 tonnes of melons in multiple varieties, including Piel de Sapo, Amarillo and Galia. It has also started growing Cantaloupe melons from the current season.
The company also produces more than 6,000 tonnes of broccoli and around 5,000 tonnes of pomegranates. Its pomegranate range includes the Wonderful, Bigful, and Mollar de Elche varieties, with the latter holding Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.
The Elche-based company’s other crops include artichokes, sweet potatoes, and squash, including Butternut and Halloween varieties.
Marfruit CEO Eduardo Boix said: “After almost five decades in business, we are taking another step forward, a key strategic leap.
“Joining a leading international company like Anecoop expands our business opportunities and access to new markets. It allows us to improve our efficiency, strengthen our financial position, grow, and become stronger and more competitive in the face of the demands of the global market in which we operate.”
Founded in 1975, Anecoop is one of Spain’s largest fruit and vegetable exporters, representing 61 associated agricultural entities. It also distributes wines, as well as juices, preserved vegetables, flowers, and ready-to-eat products.
The group represents more than 20,000 farmers cultivating over 61,000 hectares across 13 Spanish provinces.
According to its website, in the 2023-2024 season, it marketed 740,242 tonnes of products to 74 countries, with a turnover of €945m ($1.08bn).
