Sun World expands Australian footprint

In response to current market demand for its proprietary grape varieties, Sun World International said it has expanded its licensed grower-marketers in Australia to include GrapeCo Australia and RJN Cua Vineyards.

The Bakersfield, Calif.-based global fruit genetics and licensing company further said Australia’s strong domestic market and its proximity to Asia makes it a strategically important production region within Sun World’s global supply program.  

“This exciting expansion in Australia enables us to increase the supply of our leading grape varieties,” Garth Swinburn, Sun World vice president licensing, said in a release. The addition of GrapeCo and RJN also complements the company’s existing licensees both in Australia and Asia, added Swinburn.

Sun World’s existing table grape marketers in Australia include Costa, Fruit Master, Fruitico and Fresh Produce Group of Australia.

The new marketers have been granted rights to distribute fruit from existing and new varieties developed by Sun World, and will be marketed under the company's varietal brands, including Autumn Crisp, Midnight Beauty, Sable Seedless, Adora Seedless, Scarlotta Seedless and Sonera Seedless, according to the release.

GrapeCo Australia is a family-owned and -operated farming and marketing business consisting of 750 hectares of grapes and citrus. GrapeCo Australia’s Hellooo brand has become widely recognized through strong vertical integration, providing a strategic difference within the supply chain, said Sun World. 

“We are excited about the opportunities the Sun World agreement presents, and we look forward to a collaborative working relationship with the team,” Adrian Caia, GrapeCo’s managing director, said in a release. “This new alliance with Sun World provides us access to a wonderful variety portfolio that complements our current offerings and extends our window of supply. Sun World’s varieties have all the characteristics that a consumer wants and are now demanding,” Caia added.

Located in Northwest Victoria, RJN Cua Vineyards has a production base of approximately 600 hectares or 1,483 acres. RJN prides itself on growing, shipping and marketing directly to customers both overseas and domestically, said the release. 

Led by Reg and Nicolina Cua and their two sons Frank and Joey Cua, the RJN team said it strives to establish and maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction by delivering premium quality table grapes for all markets. 

“This partnership with Sun World provides the foundation to grow our business, producing and supplying high-quality tables grapes to the world.  We are very excited about our future with Sun World,” Reg Cua said.

Sun World International is a global variety development and licensing business. The California-based company says its mission is to “drive the growth of fruit breeding, varietal development and licensing.”

The company maintains offices in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America, Israel, North Africa and South Africa.