Unifrutti acquires Peru's Safco, strengthening grape supply capabilities

Recently, fresh fruit production and distribution company Unifrutti Group announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Safco (Global Agro Peru and Safco Peru) from Rio King and a few other shareholders. Unifrutti was first established in 1948 as a fruit and vegetable trading company based in South Africa. Today, Unifrutti has grown into a global group with 60 farms and 43 processing facilities across 4 continents, over 300 varieties of fruit, and services in over 50 countries and regions. Currently, the company's market is mainly in Europe, Japan, China, India, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. Safco owns approximately 560 hectares of vineyards and two modern packing plants in Ica, one of Peru's main grape-producing areas. The company supplies high-quality fresh table grapes to major U.S. retailers, with a particular focus on varieties such as Cotton Candy, Sweet Globe, and Autumn Crisp. Through this acquisition, Unifrutti has solidified its position as a leading producer and exporter of fresh table grapes in the Southern Hemisphere, with its plantations expanding to 4,300 hectares, producing approximately 15 million boxes (120,000 tons) annually. Unifrutti can now export grapes to the U.S. uninterruptedly from September to June of the following year, with production sites including vineyards in Piura and Ica, Peru, Copiapó in northern Chile, and central Chile. For European customers, the grape orchards in Italy and South Africa further fill the supply window. Image source: Unifrutti 2025 International Fruit and Vegetable Report. All rights reserved. For reprint permission, please contact the International Fruit and Vegetable Report and credit the International Fruit and Vegetable Report.