BAKERSFIELD, Calif. –Three leading California stonefruit grower-packers will soon be growing and marketing new plum, peach, nectarine and apricot varieties developed by Sun World International, LLC.
Sun World has issued stonefruit licenses to California-based Wawona Packing Co., Inc. (Cutler), Enns Packing Co-Wespak Sales (Dinuba) and Sunwest Fruit Co. (Parlier), Sun World Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer David Marguleas announced here this week.
The licenses – which depart from the Bakersfield-based company’s traditional business model of farming, packing and marketing its own proprietary fruit varieties – enable the three companies to produce, pack and distribute designated quantities of stonefruit from the extensive Sun World stonefruit variety line-up. The companies have also been licensed to use Sun World’s private trademarks, including the BLACK DIAMOND® and BLACK GIANT® plum brands, HONEYCOT® apricot brand and AMBER CREST® peach brand.
“For three decades, Sun World has invested in the development of several superb lines of stonefruit. Our breeding staff has notably developed distinctive red-fleshed plums and vibrant red-blushed apricots, and our farming and marketing staff have aggressively produced and marketed these products,” Marguleas said. “We look forward to maintaining our own stonefruit operations along with these new production-marketing alliances with three of the industry’s most venerated companies located in the heart of California’s stonefruit producing region to ensure greater retail, wholesale and consumer access to our specially-bred plums, apricots and peaches,” he added.
Enns Packing-Wespak, Sunwest and Wawona join licensed stonefruit marketers in Chile (Dole Chile S.A., Tuniche Fruits, and Gesex S.A.); in Australia (Freshmax/Holman and Montague Fresh); in New Zealand (Fresh NZ 2000 and Yummy Fruit Co.); in South Africa (Green Marketing and Capespan); and in Italy (Apofruit and Agrointessa). These 14 stonefruit marketers distribute plums, apricots, peaches and nectarines grown by Sun World producers under a global-managed planting system.
Special stonefruit lines include a wide range of red-and yellow-fleshed black plums marketed under the BLACK DIAMOND® and BLACK GIANT® brands, early-ripening apricots marketed under the HONEYCOT® brand, and early-ripening peaches and nectarines sold under the AMBER CREST® and SUPER STAR® brands.
Sun World’s fruit licensing program includes more than 1,000 growers and 30 leading marketing companies in most of the world’s major fruit-growing regions. In addition to its new stonefruit variety development work, the company manages the industry’s preeminent seedless table grape breeding program.
Sun World International, LLC is a longstanding U.S.-based producer and marketer of fresh fruit. Since its inception in the mid-1970s, the Company’s Variety Development Center has released more than 80 new varieties with improved flavor, size, color, shelf-life and extended seasonality. In addition to production on its own California properties and with its new California licensees, Sun World and/or its licensees grow its proprietary varieties in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South America, Israel and South Africa. Sun World is a leading innovator in the research, production, distribution and promotion of fresh produce. The Company maintains integrated agricultural operations throughout central and southeastern California. More information about Sun World is available at: www.sun-world.com.
Wawona Packing Co., Cutler, Calif., is a vertically integrated company specializing in delivering the highest quality tree fruit in every respect. Their principle leadership is committed to implementing progressive farming techniques, proactive variety development, and proprietary post harvest technology to ensure optimal flavor profile and consistency. We have begun development of both new and existing tree fruit varieties and we are excited to become a licensee of the Sun World breeding program as they have a world renown reputation for excellence, concentrated on flavor profile. For more information, contact Brent Smitcamp at (559) 528- 4000.
Enns Packing Co-Wespak Sales, Dinuba, Calif., has roots that reach back one hundred years to the company’s original 20-acre family farm. Since then, Enns/WESPAK has grown into a vertically and horizontally integrated farming, packing and marketing company with global distribution of our fresh cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines and other fruits. For more information contact Blair Richardson at (559) 897-7700 or vist the company’s Web site at: www.WesPakSales.com.
Sunwest Fruit Company, Parlier, Calif., is a vertically integrated grower, packer and marketer of California stone fruit and citrus. Sunwest has partnered with Sun World to provide its customers the most consistent and best eating stone fruit varieties available. The addition of Sunworld’s varietal selections will compliment Sunwest’s commitment to superior taste, appearance and season-long supplies for its stone fruit program. For more information, please contact Dean Thonesen at (559) 646-4000 or visit the company’s Web site at: www.sunwestfruit.com.
