AIM News | 15 December 2025Unifrutti consolidates position as a key southern hemisphere table grape grower, distributor with Safco acquisition
By Lynda Kiernan-Stone
Unifruitti Group, a global vertically integrated grower and distributor of fresh fruit, announced its acquisition of 100 percent of Peru-based Safeco, including Global Agro Peru and Safco Peru, from Rio King and other minority shareholders.
With this deal, Safeco brings 560 hectares of grape farms and two modern packhouses located in Ica, one of the main grape growing regions in the country. And through these operations, the company supplies premium table grapes, with a focus on proprietary varieties such as Cotton CandyTM, Sweet Globe, and Autumn Crisp, to top retailers.
“This acquisition marks another step in our journey to build the world’s leading sustainable multi-fruit company with a 52-week integrated supply,” said Mohamed Elsarky, CEO, Unifrutti Group.
“By integrating Safco’s premium varieties and capabilities, we reinforce our ability to serve leading retailers and distributors worldwide.”
This acquisition also acts to solidify Unifrutti’s position as a leading grape grower and exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, giving the company control of 4,300 hectares of table grape farms producing approximately 15 million boxes, or 120,000 metric tons of fruit per year.
Importantly, it also enhances Unifrutti’s ability to serve U.S. customers from September through June by sourcing grapes from its farms in Piura and Ica, Peru; Copiapó in northern Chile, and additional farms extending through central Chile. And for European customers, this supply is complemented by the company’s farms in Italy and South Africa, creating one of the most extensive grape platforms in the world.
Grape Expectations
Recently, we’ve witnessed a good deal of movement in Southern Hemisphere fresh fruit and table grape production.
In addition to Unifrutti’s acquisition of Safeco, a few examples of deals that have been featured by AIM News include:
~ In December 2024, Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) acquired a controlling stake in Fresh Produce Group (FPG), one of Australia’s largest fresh fruit suppliers with approximately 1,200 hectares (2,965 acres) of premium farmland growing table grapes, citrus fruit, and berries, for A$175 million (US$113.4 million).
Established in 1992, the company employs a vertically integrated strategy and oversees a diverse footprint of assets across the country comprising growing, importing, exporting, wholesale, pre-packing, ripening, logistics, and produce marketing interests.
~ In June 2025, SanLucar, a leading, global supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables, partnered with fruit genetics, research and development, and licensing pioneer Sun World International for the exclusive production and exportation of new (mainly) table grape varieties in Ecuador.
Ecuador is emerging as a promising player in the global table grape market, with significant potential of becoming a major supplier. While the country is currently a smaller producer compared to global giants like Chile and Peru, recent increases in production, the development of niche varieties, and an increasing openness to new export markets, along with inherent advantages such as its unique climate, geography, and counter-cyclical harvest season of July-December, suggest a strong growth trajectory.
~ In October 2025, AMFRESH Group expanded its farming footprint across the Pacific Rim triangle encompassing the U.S., Mexico, and Peru, through an agreement with Rioblanco to acquire TERRAMERA FRESH.
This deal came about following several years of collaboration and shared successes for the two companies, and reflects the natural evolution of both organizations and their aligned strategic vision since the joint venture between AMFRESH and Rioblanco designed to focus on table grapes, was launched in 2022.
And most recently, in December 2025, Camposol, a multinational grower and supplier of fresh blueberries, table grapes, avocados, mangos, and mandarins with operations in Peru, Colombia, Uruguay, and Chile, and distribution offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, announced it has secured $400 million in historic financing from BID Invest, IFC, Rabobank, Scotiabank, and BBVA.
With this investment, Camposol (which is already Peru’s leading agro-exporter) expects to see the volume of exports increase by more than 30 percent between 2025-2030, and anticipates the creation of more than 2,500 direct jobs, with women representing more than the national average in the country’s agricultural sector.
*The content provided by Agriculture Investment Marketplace and Westfall Rose LLC is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Agriculture Investment Marketplace and Westfall Rose LLC are not financial advisors or fiduciaries. Readers should consult with qualified professionals before making any decisions based on the information presented here.
