Keelings buys Caposud and targets new growth in France

Irish company Keelings Fresh International has purchased Paris-based fruit importer Caposud.

Located in Rungis wholesale market, Caposud has been in business for 17 years and specialises in the sourcing and distribution of avocados, citrus, pomegranates and grapes.

According to Keelings, which suppplies fresh produce to retail and wholesale customers in many countries across Europe, the acquisition points to new potential growth in France, where Keelings established its own office, also at Rungis, back in 2015.

The deal is expected to broaden its product portfolio and increase volumes, and help it to grow the Keelings business across Europe.

Keelings says it will take on Caposud’s 27,000ft2 office building within Rungis market. This includes both a warehouse facility and office space.

It will also welcome eleven new colleagues from Caposud to its team. These include former owner Eric Vallet, who will share his 35 years of industry experience on a consultancy basis.

“I’m very proud to be part of the Keelings family,” Vallet commented. “Caposud has been a great adventure. Great people have been with me all along the way. This new chapter will allow them to flourish once again.”

Mathieu Leveque, business unit director at Keelings Fresh International, said: “With this new acquisition in Europe, The Keelings Group consolidates 13 years of really hard work from all our teams and marks the start of a new page in its history. I am excited to welcome all our new colleagues and warmly thank everyone involved in this great adventure so far.”

Keelings International CEO Steven Fagg said he was thrilled to see the group’s international expansion continue. “The addition of Caposud will further accelerate this momentum with new products, customers, operations and, most important of all, its team of experts. We very much welcome our new colleagues into the Keelings family.”