Bloom Fresh appoints interim CEO

Bloom Fresh International has appointed Chief Innovation Officer Josep Jove Estiarte as interim CEO following the departure of Kenneth Avery.

Avery's six-month tenure as CEO began with the acquisition of International Fruit Genetics by Amfresh and its merging with SNFL Group, according to a news release. Bloom Fresh said his dedication and his goal to increase grape consumption worldwide has had a positive impact on the company.

“We are delighted to have Josep at the helm of Bloom Fresh as he has been instrumental in understanding the growers’ challenges, identifying the market’s potential and meeting consumer's expectations, to provide the world with some of the most popular, healthy, and delicious table grapes,” Amfresh Group CEO Alvaro Muñoz said in the release.

Under Estiarte’s leadership, the company says it will continue to lean into innovation, using natural and non-GMO new breeding practices for a healthier, tastier and sustainable future. Estiarte will prioritize advancing Bloom Fresh’s objective to create value for its licensed growers, marketers and employees worldwide, according to the release.

Estiarte has been at the forefront of fruit breeding for over 20 years, the release said. He first joined the Munoz Group in 2002 as a technologist in the table grape sector monitoring the table grape programs for U.K. retailers. In 2007, he was the first employee of the SNFL Group and later was appointed managing director, where he helped the company develop its breeding programs and international business expansion, the release said.

“I am very excited to continue supporting Bloom Fresh's commitment to sustainable fruit breeding,” Estiarte said in the release. “The possibilities are limitless as we have a vast portfolio of varietals as well as a genetic powerhouse, setting the stage for the creation of flavorful, high-antioxidant and nature-positive varieties.

"Bloom Fresh’s commitment to innovation will continue to positively impact our licensed growers, retailers and consumers, making the industry being more sustainable, innovative and consumer-oriented each day, through superior genetics and quality assurance for a better eating experience, amongst others," he continued. "I am grateful for all the conversations with Bloom licensees, which allows us to envision a thriving future.”