Sunkist and Fruit Growers supply to merge under new cooperative structure

Sunkist Growers and Fruit Growers Supply Company said they will undergo a strategic reorganization to form a new California cooperative that will serve as a holding company for both entities. The restructuring, effective November 1, 2025, is intended to enhance operational efficiency, improve service for growers and customers, and support future growth in the citrus sector.

The new entity, to be known as Sunkist Growers, will unite the citrus marketing expertise of Sunkist with the supply chain and logistics capabilities of Fruit Growers Supply. The companies said the move builds on their shared management structure adopted in 2017 and represents a “natural evolution” of their long-standing partnership.

“We are excited to bring together the deep sales and marketing experience of Sunkist with the supply chain expertise of Fruit Growers Supply,” said Jim Phillips, President and CEO of both organizations. “This will allow for a more seamless experience for both customers and growers.”

Sunkist and Fruit Growers Supply have operated as sister cooperatives for more than a century. The new structure will consolidate governance and planning functions under a unified leadership team drawn from both organizations. Boards from both companies have also approved a five-year strategic plan outlining growth priorities for the combined entity.

“With the changes that have been made over the past several years, we are in an excellent position to enter the next phase of growth as one company,” said Gerald Denni, Chairman of the Board for Sunkist and Fruit Growers Supply.

Founded in 1893, Sunkist Growers represents more than 1,000 family farmers across California and Arizona and is among the oldest agricultural cooperatives in the United States. Fruit Growers Supply, established in 1907, is the country’s oldest non-profit agricultural supply cooperative, providing materials and services to growers and packers.

The reorganization marks a significant structural change for the two historic cooperatives, reflecting broader consolidation trends within the US agricultural sector as producers seek scale and integration to stay competitive in global markets.