At the recently concluded CPMA Convention and Trade Show, Oppy and Sun Grape USA highlighted their latest venture, Sun Grape California LLC, marking a significant milestone in the fresh produce industry.
This new company stems from a joint venture between Oppy, a prominent grower, marketer, and distributor of fresh produce globally, and Sun Grape USA, a renowned table grape owner, grower, packer, and shipper. The partnership aims to redefine excellence in the table grape category by ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality grapes.
David Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Oppy, emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration. “We have aspired to become California grape growers for a very long time,” said Smith. “The quality and excellence displayed in Sun Grape’s farming operations deeply resonate with our values, making this a synergistic collaboration.”
Sun Grape California LLC will integrate Sun Grape’s nearly 1,500 acres of land in California with Oppy’s extensive distribution network, which spans Peru, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, and Mexico. This collaboration blends multinational reach with extensive experience, significantly complementing Oppy’s offerings with California table grapes and enabling Sun Grape to expand its distribution.
“When we decided we were ready to expand, we weren’t going to partner with just anyone. We were looking for a collaboration that would help us realize our goals to expand in the U.S. market,” said Sammy Cacciatore, owner and president of Sun Grape USA. “Our family has known Oppy for over 50 years, so there’s been a long-standing relationship.”
Piers Hanbury, Oppy’s Executive Director of Category Development, highlighted the comprehensive nature of this partnership. “This partnership is vital as we aim to bring uniformity across the board — from volume, quality, varieties and beyond. Sun Grape’s expertise in farming makes them an ideal partner,” said Hanbury.
The joint venture will encompass Sun Grape’s marketing division and the family’s farming division, providing expertise from development, daily operations, packing, cold storage, variety testing, and sustainability services. Their best-in-class farming practices incorporate the latest methods and technology, ensuring vines achieve the best quality fruit and receive optimal care.
Sun Grape California LLC became official on February 6, 2024, with Cacciatore as president of operations. The team will begin working together on the Mexican season, while Sun Grape California LLC will start shipping products in early July from their new cold storage facility and offices in Delano. Combining their offices in Visalia, Sun Grape will add its location in Montreal, Quebec, to Oppy’s sales network throughout North and South America and Asia.
The presence of Sun Grape California LLC at the CPMA Convention in Vancouver signifies a major development in the produce industry. This new entity represents a significant portion of the Californian table grape industry and sets new standards for collaboration, quality, and innovation in the market.
