British Columbia-based Oppy, a grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce, has joined with table grape owner, grower, packer and shipper Sun Grape USA of Visalia, Calif., to form Sun Grape California LLC — An Oppy Company.
The companies developed the joint venture to consolidate and secure a consistent supply of high-quality grapes, David Smith, Oppy’s president and chief operating officer, said in a news release.
“We have aspired to become California grape growers for a very long time, and we proudly announce the fruition of that dream through our partnership with Sun Grape,” Smith said in the release. “The exceptional quality and excellence displayed in their farming operations deeply resonate with our values, making this a synergistic collaboration. Together we embark on a journey that not only celebrates the art of grape cultivation but reflects our shared commitment to delivering the finest produce.”
The companies said the venture will combine Oppy’s more than 165 years of experience and Sun Grape’s three decades of farming in the San Joaquin Valley of California to create a company with a multinational reach and extensive experience.
“When we decided we were ready to expand, we weren’t going to partner with just anyone, we were looking for a collaboration that would help us realize our goals to expand in the U.S. market,” Sammy Cacciatore, owner and president of Sun Grape USA, said in the release. “Our family has known Oppy for over 50 years, so there’s been a long-standing relationship from the beginning. It all just seemed to come together so organically, we recognized what a natural fit it was for both companies.”
With the new partnership, Oppy will expand its year-round reach in Peru, Brazil, Chile, South America and Mexico with Sun Grape’s nearly 1,500 acres in production in California, according to the release.
“This partnership is vital as we aim to bring uniformity across the board — from volume, quality, varieties and beyond. Sun Grape’s commitment to excellence and their expertise in farming make them an ideal partner, reinforcing our shared vision for delivering the best produce to the market,” Piers Hanbury, Oppy’s executive director of category development, said in the release.
Cacciatore will serve as president of operations and will combine offices in Visalia, Calif., the release said.
