The new group will supply more than 200 million kilos and will be operating in upwards of 25 countries.

The groups Guillem Export and Frutas Tono have reached an agreement to merge their citrus fruit production and marketing businesses, thereby creating a new group that will oversee more than 200 million kilos and will be operational in more than 25 countries. The founding families Guillem and Vercher, both from the Region of Valencia, will share management responsibilities.

With a combined experience of over 70 years in the citrus sector, Guillem Export and Frutas Tono are taking this step to create a large family group that will enable both companies to develop economies of scale and enhanced vertical integration throughout the value chain, with their own production spanning more than 3,000 hectares. Firmly committed to development and varietal innovation, the two companies manage a comprehensive portfolio containing different varieties of oranges, mandarins, grapefruits and lemons.

This bringing together of capacities, with a huge rate of varied production in the Community of Valencia and farms in Seville, Córdoba, Huelva, Murcia and Tarragona, means that Guillem Export and Frutas Tono will produce some 100 million kilos themselves, which accounts for 50% of the joint volume they are already trading as wholesalers.

Upon signing the agreement, Fernando Guillem, chairman of Guillem Export, declared that “this venture is crucial in order to move forward with the growth strategy pursued in recent years, following the integration of the commercial branch of Frutas Romu, the acquisition of Mugui (Guillem Muñoz) and now the merger with Tono”.

Additionally, Antonio Vercher, chairman of Frutas Tono, stated that “both families want to thank our customers and employees for all their support in continuing to grow and consolidate our presence as a benchmark group in the sector”.

The new group structure will bring us closer to customers, expanding and enhancing service and quality all year round. Indeed, both companies have already been progressing in recent years in this direction thanks to their investments in digitalisation, process automation and improvements to facilities.