New Zealand fresh produce distributor Freshmax has bought Australian fresh fruit marketing firm OzTaste for an undisclosed sum.

The highly acquisitive Freshmax has now acquired three businesses this year, having also snapped up Holman Fresh and Panda Ranch, in pursuit of becoming one of the largest fruit supply chain companies in Australasia.

OzTaste was bought from its founding directors Andrew Prentice and Rocky Varapodio. And as part of the new arrangements, another Goulburn Valley fruit business, Pickworth Orchards, OzPac and OzProduction have signed exclusive fruit supply agreements with Holman Fresh.

The new business is jointly owned by Sydney-based Wolseley Private Equity along with staff and management from the companies.

Freshmax is following a strategy of vertical integration and through its field service, Freshmax Farms, can already count on 526.35 hectares of farming production, fruit packing and coldstorage facilities.

The holding company which owns Freshmax is based in Sydney.

Topics