Saunt citrus varieties book cover

Mr Saunt's book Citrus Varieties of the World is seen as the authority on citrus cultivars

Sinclair International has announced that Jim Saunt, who was instrumental in establishing the fruit labelling company, passed away earlier this month following a heart attack.

Mr Saunt, who spent all of his working life in the fresh produce industry, was for more than 20 years a key member of the global marketing team behind citrus brand Outspan, before joining Sinclair's UK office, where he worked until his retirement.

'Jim was a key member of the PMA working group which established the international fruit and vegetable PLU numbering system and was an active participant on their board until his retirement several years ago,' recalled Bill Hallier, chief executive of Sinclair International.

An expert in citrus production and marketing, Mr Saunt was also the author of Citrus Varieties of the World, a definitive guide to the category which continues to be sold worldwide.