Watsonville, California (February 25, 2024) – As a critical strategic partner, Driscoll's is part of an experienced North American-based consortium led by Paine Schwartz Partners and which includes British Columbia Investment Management Corporation which completed the purchase of Costa. Group, Australia's leading producer, packer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Cantabrian It was founded in the late 19th century by the Costa family in Geelong Victoria, Australia. Since then, it has become a leading global horticultural company, whose agronomic expertise and innovation is widely recognized.

The company has a unique and valuable portfolio of fresh top quality products, which include the cultivation, marketing and supply of blueberries, greenhouse tomatoes, citrus fruits, avocados, mushrooms and table grapes. Its production and producer network covers all states of Australia, China, Morocco and southern Africa. Costa products are sold in numerous countries around the world, including Europe, United Kingdom, Asia and North America.

Costa is recognized as an industry leader in the development of genetics and new plant varieties, especially blueberries. In 2023 alone, she launched a record four new blueberry varieties with a strong product pipeline to drive future growth.

This new ownership agreement is part of a logical progression of the relationship between Driscoll's and Costa, which began in 2010. The two companies also own a joint venture in Australia, which is now the leading marketer of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries in the country.

Driscoll's also has an expansion program in America using Costa blueberry varieties. In 2016, Driscoll's and Costa formalized a joint venture that saw the two companies start a soft fruit production company in China.

Costa blueberry variety planted in Morocco

"We welcome the Costa Group to the Driscoll's family and look forward to deepening our relationship with even more deliberate collaboration around the world," he said. Soren BjornExecutive Director Driscoll's. "This is one of the largest capital investments Driscoll's has ever made, which speaks to the formidable partnership and considerable value we see in Costa's portfolio and the company's long-term future and growth prospects."

To start, Driscoll's and Costa will work on specific projects to grow the global business of the berries. Your existing agreements in China, Australia and America They will not be affected either.

In the last decades, Paine Schwartz Partners has invested $5.700 billion in agriculture and the food supply chain, including a previous equity stake in Costa. His other investments include companies that grow premium fresh produce, such as Monterey Mushrooms, as well as agricultural technology companies, including AgroFresh.

Costa Mushrooms Farm located in Monarto-Australia

British Columbia Investment Management Corporation is a global institutional investor, with $233.000 billion in gross assets under management. His investment in agricultural assets includes a stake in Viterra and mushroom and citrus businesses.

About Driscoll's

Driscoll's is the global market leader in fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of agricultural heritage, Driscoll's is a pioneer in berry flavor innovation and the trusted consumer brand for Only the Finest Berries™. With more than 900 independent growers worldwide, Driscoll's develops exclusive proprietary berry varieties using only traditional growing methods that focus on growing great-tasting berries. A dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant pathologists and entomologists help grow seedlings which are then grown on local family farms. Driscoll's berries are grown in more than 20 countries and are available to consumers in more than 40 countries in North America, Australia, Europe and China.