A major Central Valley raisin producer is selling its operation to a Chilean company.
The National Raisin Company, also known as the Sunshine Raisin Corporation, will be acquired by Empresas Sutil from Chile at the end of the month, once regulators give the green light.
The big picture: The deal marks an exit for the Bedrosian family from operating a cornerstone raisin operation in the Central Valley.
- The National Raisin Company exports to over 35 countries across the globe and processes over 50,000 tons of raisins every year.
- Terms of the deal were not announced.
What they’re saying: “The Bedrosian family and National Raisin Company are delighted to be part of this new global approach to dried fruit marketing. This event will bring greater stability to the global raisin market,” said Kenneth Bedrosian, chairman of the board of directors of National Raisin Company, in a statement. “More importantly, it will benefit California raisin growers, generating a direct positive impact from a global market perspective.”
- Mark McCormick, the CEO of National Raisin Company, welcomed the Sutil Group to the San Joaquin Valley in a statement.
- “We have been working with the Sutil family for some time and with Pacific Nut for over ten years, and their strong commitment to the growers and their partners is evident,” McCormick said.
- Juan Sutil, founder and chairman of the board of Empresas Sutil, said his company is honored to receive the keys to National Raisin Company from the Bedrosian family.
- “We are committed to continue cultivating National’s long-lasting relationships with its employees, customers, California producers, suppliers, an the community, always aiming for excellence and guided by our core values of trust, accountability, transparency, and respect, which have inspired us in building Empresas Sutil for more than 40 years,” Sutil said.
Driving the news: The National Raisin Company expects the deal to allow it to grow and diversify its international supply network in North America and Asia while working with Pacific Nut Company.
- Pacific Nut Company is part of Empresas Sutil and has specialized in exporting premium dried fruits and nuts from Chile to the world since 1992.
The backstory: The National Raisin Company was founded by brothers Ernest, Krikor “Kay,” and Kenneth Bedrosian in 1969, headquartered in Fowler, Calif.
- Ernest Bedrosian was long recognized as being the “father” of the Raisin Bargaining Association, helping to organize growers throughout the state in a number of ways, including price negotiations with packers and policy matters.
