Dole Food Company announced its acquisition of Tucfrut’s farms and facilities in Chile on 10 October.
The acquisitions comprise facilities in Molina and Linares, as well as the Tucfrut 1,000ha property south of Santiago, including five farms producing apples, blueberries and kiwifruit.
“With the acquisition of TucFrut we are strengthening our leadership of Dole’s Chilean deciduous export business and diversified fruit operations,” said Johan Linden, president and COO of Dole Food Company. “Dole Chile has been a success story for Dole since the 1980s based on our grower supply and a worldwide distribution under the Dole label.”
The acquisitions will strengthen Dole’s portfolio of premium kiwifruit and apples, and mark its first venture in producing its own Chilean blueberry production.
“A large portion of the farm is yet to be planted and we intend to plant varieties thatwill satisfy our customers' needs in the years to come,” added Francisco Chacon, president of Dole diversified fruit operations. “The TucFrut fruit farms acquisition is the most visible part of our growth in Chile this year.”
Dole has also expanded its long-term table grape supply base in Chile, adding three farms totalling more than 600ha of premium and newer varieties of grapes.
The acquisitions are in line with Dole’s long-term growth strategy in Chile, which also includes investing in packing, post-harvest and improving grower services.
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