Guillem Export and Frutas Tono to merge

Guillem Export and Frutas Tono, two family-run citrus companies from Valencia, have agreed to merge. The new group will own more than 3,000ha of citrus plantings generating an annual output of around 100,000 tonnes and a turnover of around €200m.

The companies said the new entity would offer improved customer service and quality throughout the year. The deal reflects the ongoing consolidation within Spain’s agricultural sector, fuelled by the entry of private equity funds.

El Confidencial reported that the founding families will share management responsibilities of the new entity. “With more than 70 years of history in the citrus sector, the agreement gives birth to a great family group that will allow the companies to develop economies of scale and greater vertical integration throughout the value chain,” the newspaper said.

The two companies’ citrus portfolio covers oranges, mandarins, grapefruit and lemons grown in the Valencian Community as well as in Seville, Córdoba, Huelva, Murcia and Tarragona.

Founded in 1997, Guillem Export is based in Xeresa, Valencia. In 2021 it registered a net profit of €1.3m on sales of €104m. Frutas Tono was founded by the Vercher family in the 1970s and is based in the Valencian town of Benifairó. Among its clients are large distribution chains such as Mercadona. “The new structure of the group will allow a better approach to customers, expanding and improving service and quality during the 12 months of the year, aspects in which both companies have been making progress in recent years thanks to their investments in digitization, automation of the processes and improvements of the facilities”, said the same sources.