US winter melon business

2 Jan 2008 15:42

Fyffes PLC02 January 2008 Fyffes plc Stock Exchange Announcement Fyffes enters the US winter melon business Fyffes is pleased to announce that it has entered the US winter melon businessby investing in a number of independent companies including farming operationsin Honduras and Guatemala and the acquisition of 60% of Sol Group MarketingCompany based in Pompano Beach, Florida. In separate transactions, Fyffes hasalso invested in an 85,000 sq ft warehouse and cold storage facility where mostof the imported fruit is distributed from, and has acquired the right to shipall the fruit imported by Sol Group Marketing from Honduras and Guatemala. Sol Group Marketing imports close to 8 million boxes of winter season melonsannually into the US, for sale to major retailers and fresh cut fruitprocessors, making it the second largest importer of winter melons in thismarket. This integrated investment at all levels in the supply chain ensuresFyffes and Sol continue to provide customers with a consistent supply of thebest quality winter melons available in the US. Rafael Nir has been named President and CEO of Sol Group Marketing. David McCann, Chairman of Fyffes, said: "Sol Group Marketing has developed a strong position in the US winter melonsector based on high levels of service and delivery of top quality product toits customers. We look forward to working with Rafi and his team in developingthis business further." Fyffes plc 2 January 2008 For further information, please contact: Brian Bell, Wilson Hartnell PR; Tel +353 1 669 0030 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange