Looking to expand its business by adding grapefruit to its list of products, California-based Paramount Citrus recently acquired Healds Valley Farms, an Edinburg company that accounts for nearly half the Texas citrus market.
Healds and its Rio Red grapefruit proved too tantalizing to resist for Paramount Citrus, the largest grower of fresh citrus in North America, according to a Paramount news release.
“We found that Healds — not only being the largest grapefruit grower in Texas — (also) was a strong company with strong people and it’s a good solid business,” said Rick Burnes, who has been with Paramount for 15 years, the last six as vice president for supply, and is now Healds Valley Farms general manager. “So we thought it could be a good match for us.”
Formed in 1986 and based on Monte Cristo Road, Healds started with 1,500 acres and now has more than 3,000, according to its website.
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