Melon suppliers form alliance for year-round distribution

Melon suppliers Ayco Farms and Fisher Ranch plant to collaborate on supplying a year-round assortment of melons, including cantaloupe, honeydew and various mixed melons.

Targeting retail, foodservice and fresh-cut segments, the alliance plans to provide its clientele a steady provision of premium-quality melons, according to a news release.

Ayco, a multinational, premier supplier of various offshore fruits and vegetables, including cantaloupes, watermelons, honeydews, pineapples and asparagus, operates extensively across Central and South America and Mexico, the release said.

Fisher Ranch says it supplies melons throughout North America and is known for producing sweet, flavorful vine-ripe melons. The company operates in Arizona and California, bringing domestic operational support and more than six decades of expertise and dedication to the industry, according to the release.

“This alliance is a natural progression for Fisher and our growth strategy,” Bart Fisher, principal shareholder of Fisher Ranch, said in the release. “We bring a combined legacy of quality, innovation, and customer-focused operations. This new venture is more than just a business arrangement; it's a commitment to excellence.”

“The creation of this program with Fisher Ranch marks a significant milestone for Ayco," Avi Nir, CEO and president of Ayco, said in the release. "It represents our promise to provide our customers with top-quality melons all year round. We're excited about the opportunities for this alliance and the benefits it will offer our customers.”

Ayco will transition to Fisher Ranch with melon production in Arizona and California, beginning in late May and continuing through October, the release said.

The companies say the collaboration will leverage Guatemalan melons from November to June, guaranteeing a year-round supply.