Acquisition of Mastronardi BerryWorld® America strengthens Mastronardi’s position in the North American berry market, while BerryWorld® Group focuses on innovative berry breeding and development.
Mastronardi Produce, a well-known leader in the greenhouse fruits and vegetables industry, has announced its acquisition of full and exclusive rights to Mastronardi BerryWorld® America.
This development comes as a result of a buyout from its partner, BerryWorld® Group, which initially joined forces with Mastronardi in 2018 to form the joint venture. The purpose of this collaboration was to tap into BerryWorld®’s proprietary berry varieties and utilize Mastronardi’s expertise in greenhouse cultivation to bring premium berries to the North American market.
The partnership between the two companies has proven to be a fruitful one, with Mastronardi benefiting from access to BerryWorld®’s extensive berry breeding and marketing capabilities. This acquisition secures Mastronardi Produce the exclusive rights to all current and future high-flavor proprietary berry varieties in North America. These include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, allowing the company to expand its already significant footprint in the berry market.
According to a statement by Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO of Mastronardi Produce, the collaboration over the past five years has been instrumental in their success. “Our partnership with the BerryWorld® Group over the past 5 years has allowed us to deliver exceptional berries to the North American market,” Mastronardi said. He emphasized that the availability of these premium varieties has helped solidify Mastronardi’s presence in the region’s competitive berry market.
As part of the agreement, BerryWorld® will now dedicate its resources to further research and development of new high-flavor berry varieties. This strategic focus on innovation allows Mastronardi to concentrate on leveraging its grower network and enhancing its marketing capabilities. David Gray, President of BerryWorld® Group, remarked, “This acquisition allows the BerryWorld® Group to dedicate its resources to researching and developing premium, high-flavor varieties, while enabling Mastronardi to concentrate on their advanced grower network and leading marketing capabilities.”
The continuation of this relationship between Mastronardi Produce and BerryWorld® is seen as a long-term commitment to sustainable growth and collaboration. Both companies are eager to build on their success and develop new strategies that will support the North American berry market.
As a fourth-generation family-owned company, Mastronardi Produce views this acquisition as part of its broader mission to become a beloved brand in the fresh produce industry, known for consistently delivering flavorful and high-quality products.
Mastronardi Produce has been a pioneer in the gourmet greenhouse sector for over 70 years, growing and marketing a range of award-winning products. The company operates under well-established brands such as SUNSET®, Backyard Farms®, BerryWorld®, and Queen of Greens®, producing not only berries but also tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce.
BerryWorld® Group, also a family-founded company with a global reach, is dedicated to ensuring a year-round supply of world-class berries. With operations spanning every part of the supply chain, the company’s focus on sustainability and innovation aligns well with the goals of Mastronardi Produce. The collaboration between these two industry leaders sets the stage for continued success in the ever-growing North American berry market.
This acquisition marks a significant step forward for Mastronardi Produce, as it now holds exclusive rights to market some of the most sought-after berry varieties in the world. As stated in a report from Produce BlueBook, this move will further solidify the company’s position in the market while allowing both parties to focus on their respective strengths, ensuring a sustainable and innovative future for North America’s premium berry supply.
