Surexport, a Spain-based berry business, has recently acquired a majority stake in Jong Fruit, a Dutch strawberry producer. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition is part of Surexport’s growth strategy, focused on innovation, quality, year-round supply, and longstanding relationships with top tier European retailers.
Jong Fruit’s founding shareholders, Arian de Jong and Rob van der Wouw, will continue to lead the business alongside Surexport. According to its website, the Dutch company produces 2.5m strawberries per year. This acquisition is said to be a promising step in Surexport’s growth strategy, aiming to strengthen its presence in the north-west Europe market.
“Surexport supplies strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries to European retailers, mainly in the UK, Germany, central Europe, and the Benelux markets, as well as to domestic customers. The acquisition of Jong Fruit marks a promising step in Surexport’s growth strategy, focused on innovation, quality, year-round supply, and longstanding relationships with top tier European retailers.”
Van der Wouw expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating “It was not a difficult decision for me to sell my shares to Surexport and remain active within the team.” Meanwhile, De Jong added “I look forward to proudly leading the platform for Surexport in Northwest Europe in the role of managing director and diligently building on this strategic combination.”
Surexport’s CEO, Andrés Morales, also expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating “This acquisition fits perfectly within our growth strategy and allows us to strengthen our presence in north-west Europe. We are delighted to welcome aboard the Jong Fruit team and work together towards becoming the undisputed leading European berry producer.”
In addition to the acquisition of Jong Fruit, Surexport has made several other strategic acquisitions in the past, including Flor de Doñana, AG Group in Morocco, and Portugal’s Solana Fruits. These acquisitions have been supported by private-equity investors and are part of Surexport’s efforts to expand its berry capabilities and strengthen its position in the market.
This acquisition reinforces Surexport’s position as a key player in the food and beverage industry, reflecting the ongoing trends of consolidation and expansion within the sector. This move also aligns with the current consumer trends for high-quality, year-round supply of berries across European markets.
