Omer-Decugis & Cie (ISIN code: FR0014003T71; Symbol: ALODC), an international group specialising in fresh and exotic fruits and vegetables, and PrepWorld – the UK leader in fresh cut fruit and a division of BerryWorld Limited, owned by the AgroBerries Group have announced the creation of strategic joint venture: PrepWorld France.
The PrepWorld France site has been strategically considered. Its location at the Port of Dunkirk within OmerDecugis & Cie’s new fresh produce integrated platform will provide a sustainable and efficient chain of intake, ripening and processing, whilst also providing easy access to France, the UK, and Continental Europe.
The French fresh cut market, estimated to be worth ~€200m, has seen consistent growth year on year. With a population of over sixty-eight million people, annual whole head fruit consumption of 124kg per capita, per year (351g per person, per day) and an increasing demand for convenience, fresh cut fruit in France is a category ripe with opportunity.
“In recent years, we have seen the fresh cut fruit category gain strong momentum across European markets, becoming a key consumption driver for products such as pineapples, mangoes, berries and more. Fresh cut fruit combines the most powerful consumer trends – health-conscious eating, plant-based lifestyle, and convenience – making it one of the most promising segments in fresh produce today whether in retail distribution, or in food service.” comments Vincent Omer-Decugis, Chairman and CEO of Omer-Decugis & Cie.
As market-leaders in UK fresh cut category insight and new product development, the PrepWorld team are motivated to bring their category knowledge and learnings to the French and European markets.
“PrepWorld are incredibly excited by this new partnership with Omer-Decugis & Cie. Our team have long recognised the opportunity across France and more widely in Europe, to provide high quality, consistent, fresh cut fruit, fuelled by our category insights and innovations.” shares Benjamin Olins, CEO of PrepWorld.
Omer-Decugis & Cie and PrepWorld will collaborate through a co-financed joint venture, of which, ownership will be equally shared. It will operate as a fully integrated team, enabling both partners to leverage their complementary expertise to establish a market leader in fresh-cut fruit.
