SANTA PAULA, Calif.–Limoneira Company, a diversified citrus growing, packing, selling and marketing company with related agribusiness activities and real estate development operations, announced that it has entered into an agreement with FGF Trapani (“FGF”), a multi-generational, family owned citrus operation in Argentina.
Beginning in 1937 with Ignacio Trapani, Ricardo Trapani (3rd generation) and his sons, Fabricio, Gabriel, and Franco (4th generation) have grown FGF into an enterprise of over 3,200 acres of lemons and oranges in the Provinces of Salta, Jujuy and Tucuman as well as owning and operating a juice processing facility in the Province of Tucuman.
As part of the agreement, Limoneira will create a subsidiary in Argentina under the name Limoneira Argentina S.A.U. (“Limoneira Argentina”) and will acquire 25% of the parcels of Finca Santa Clara, approximately 1,200 acres of planted lemons, upfront with an additional 25% to be acquired over a three-year period. Limoneira Argentina and FGF’s agreement will operate under the name Trapani Fresh, with Limoneira Argentina as the managing partner and responsible for all fresh fruit sales, holding a 51% interest and FGF holding a 49% interest. The agreement is expected to close in the middle of March 2019. FGF Trapani will maintain 100% ownership and control of the juice processing facilities and operations.
Alex Teague, Senior Vice President, stated, “It’s very exciting for us to expand our global footprint into Argentina and thereby strengthen our ability to become a 365-day, 24/7 global supplier of fresh citrus to our valued customers around the world. This joint venture fits in nicely with our One World of Citrus™ initiative and we are looking forward to welcoming FGF’s family owned business to the Limoneira team. This relationship will provide Limoneira with access to new markets and distribution networks, increase production and technical capacity and also reduce impact on operating results.”
Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, added, “We are excited to add FGF’s rich supply of citrus to our global production and increase our competitive position. Our two companies have a long history with a combined 205 years in the business and this joint venture is bringing together years of industry knowledge and expertise. We expect the deal to be accretive in fiscal year 2019 and we will provide more information on our first quarter call in early March.”
