World Food Trading has acquired Sweet Fresh Produce, a move that adds South American supply access and an established U.S. retail customer base to the European company's existing fruit and vegetable business. The deal represents a notable cross-Atlantic consolidation in the fresh produce distribution space.
South American supply — particularly from Peru and Chile — is a critical part of the North American fresh produce calendar, covering everything from grapes and blueberries to citrus and stone fruit during the Northern Hemisphere off-season. Bringing U.S. retail relationships and Southern Hemisphere supply under one roof is a classic vertical integration play.
For buyers sourcing South American fruit for U.S. retail, it's worth tracking how this ownership change affects pricing, volume commitments, and service levels as the new entity finds its footing.