Döhler acquires Spanish sweet fruit processor Zucasa: This is a 'great step forward'

15-Apr-2019 - Last updated on 15-Apr-2019 at 15:21 GMT

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Natural ingredients supplier Döhler Group is strengthening its presence in the European fruit concentrates market with the acquisition of Spanish fruit processor Zumos Catalano Aragoneses (Zucasa).

The deal, which was struck earlier this month, will see Döhler take control of Zucasa’s juice production facility, located in Huesca, through its local subsidiary, Döhler Fraga.

Döhler stressed that the deal is a “great step forward”, providing it will access to one of Europe’s largest fruit producing regions. Spain’s largest production area of sweet fruit is located between Huesca and Lleida.

“Döhler’s business is enabled by a broad global up-stream integration. We are already present in Spain through our FTN [Fruit Tech Natural] joint venture and this project will further strengthen our position, specifically in the stone fruits sector in Europe,” a spokesperson for the German company told FoodNavigator.

Döhler said its customers will benefit from a more diverse offering in the stone fruits segment as well as in apples and pears. The combined businesses will offer "greater efficiency” in a global market with regard to customised all-in-one solutions, the company added.

Döhler noted that “unique synergy effects” will be created by Zucasa’s “extensive expertise” spanning fruit and vegetable juices, purees and concentrates for food and beverages, which will be combined with the “broad product portfolio” and “comprehensive industry knowledge” of the Döhler Group.

“Zucasa’s portfolio will be integrated into Döhler’s global offering, including the global blended solutions,” the spokesperson noted.

Zucasa produces juices, purees and sweet fruit concentrates, vegetables and plants. Products span apples and pears as well as soft fruits such as peaches, plums and apricots. It has facilities spanning more than 24,000 square metres over an area of 168,000 square metres, with capacity to store 32,000 m3 of natural fruit juices, purees and concentrates. Zucasa began production in 2010 with three lines for processing fruits and vegetables: two of which for purees and a third for juices.

For its part, Döhler is present in more than 130 countries and has more than 40 production plants , as well as distribution offices and application facilities in five continents.

In the coming years, Döhler revealed it aims to set a benchmark within the sector and develop a plan of expansion and sustainable growth within its business model.