Two leading Australian produce companies have announced the merger of their table grape businesses, in a move aimed at both raising volume and increasing access to cutting edge varieties.

Trading as FruitMaster Australia, the merged business from Perfection Fresh Australia and FruitMaster will form the country's largest table grape grower and marketer.

FruitMaster Australia has board level representation from both companies and boasts a large portfolio of exclusive grape varieties and proprietary genetics, as well as an extensive network of strategically aligned third party growers, three farms (Kenley, Robinvale, Paringi in southwest NSW) and a packing and distribution centre at Robinvale.

Perfection Fresh CEO Michael Simonetta said the merger created significant benefits for everyone involved.

"Our strategically aligned third party growers will continue to play an integral role in the future of the business and will enjoy the same level of service and unparalleled access to new genetic grape varieties," said Simonetta, who is a director with the newly formed group.

"Another key benefit for them is that the merger will take our table grape business from being a minor player to an industry leader as part of the largest dedicated table grape business in the country.

"We expect to market two and a half million boxes of grapes this year, split between our third party growers and our own production. The increase in production volumes opens the business to a broader range of customers domestically and internationally, and will enable us to provide greater opportunities to our global customers."

FruitMaster founder Joe Lanteri will be the CEO of the newly merged group, and said he was excited about what Perfection Fresh's breeding program and proprietary genetics brought to the operation.

"These capabilities will enable us to better respond to consumer trends and bring the very best in new grape varieties to market," Lanteri said.

"There are already several new exclusive grape varieties that have recently cleared quarantine and with the merged network of farms and third party growers, we will be able to accelerate the introduction of these varieties and previously released varieties to retailers.

"We are also working on product innovation with a new production line being installed at our Robinvale facility that will enable us to pack snacking cups of individual grapes as well as a dedicated line that meets protocol for some export customers."

FruitMaster was already Australia's largest table grape exporter, and Simonetta said the merged group remained committed to raising volumes.

"We are exploring opportunities through all of Asia, Middle East, and other markets," Simonetta said.

"The current grape protocol for China is workable but we need continued government support in establishing new export markets and to truly capitalise on the free trade agreements."

Brett Pickering will be heading up exports at the group, while Simonetta will remain the main contact for licensors.

The companies said there would be no redundancies as a result of the merger, which will take effect immediately.

"This will retain speciality expertise and ensure a seamless transition for our third party grower network and licensors by maintaining important relationships as well as the quality service they are accustomed to," Simonetta said.

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