Landgard

German fresh produce marketing organisation Landgard has completed its proposed acquisition of a majority share in Vetter Holding, parent company of leading import service provider Peter Vetter Group.

The deal, which sees Landgard confirm its position as one of Germany's leading fresh produce distributors, follows months of talks in which both companies have sought to address recent developments in the German market and respond to structural changes within the country's fruit and vegetable retail sector.

'Through this collaboration, Landgard hopes to achieve a sales network for fruit and vegetables that covers the whole country and beyond, and also ensures year-round utilisation of its capacities,' said a spokesman for the company prior to this week's announcement. 'Vetter Holding will continue working towards the long-term further improvement of its position on markets both at home and abroad for the benefit of its customers.'

Both companies say they want to offer their customers a comprehensive range of products and services, both on the domestic market and for imports and exports.

In particular, the European subsidiaries of Vetter Holding – located in Germany, Spain, Italy, Hungary and Slovakia – will offer Landgard valuable opportunities to open up new markets.