Barendrecht-based company will import mainly citrus, grapes, stonefruit and pome fruit from South Africa and South America
Two fresh produce stalwarts, Jan Rozema and Christian Bras, have joined forces to establish Prime Fruit Partners (PFP), a new import company based in Barendrecht. Between them, they have over 40 years of experience in the international fruit trade, including stints at SFI, Olympic Fruit, Verdi Import, Hispa Fruit and Haluco.
The two men say this has allowed them to cultivate a strong network of loyal suppliers from around the world and clients across Europe, their entire careers having been built on personal relationships, entrepreneurship, and trust.
“It has always been our ambition to work towards building our own organisation where we make the decisions ourselves,” Rozema said. “We’ve been given and have created great opportunities with the companies we’ve worked for. Now it’s wonderful to take this step together with Christian Bras, supported by goodwill from people across the industry.”
Bras commented: “We’re not starting from scratch. We’re experienced players who are joining forces. That’s what Prime Fruit Partners is all about: Experts in fruit, partners with care”.
The official launch of PFP on 1 May coincides with the start of the South African citrus season. The company will focus on imports from South Africa and South America, with citrus, grapes, stonefruit, and pome fruit forming the core of their offering.
“You’ll also find us working with other products,” says Bras noted, “such as pomegranates, mangoes, and avocados.”
The company’s arrivals will be handled at AFL Barendrecht, whose new, state-of-the-art warehouse and packing facility is located just a stone’s throw from PFP’s office in Barendrecht.
