Twin River Berries announced two weeks ago the acquisition of Oregon Berry Packing, a move that strengthens the Pacific Northwest's position in the berry industry. Both companies are headquartered in Oregon and have a long history of developing blueberries in the region, with a combination of their own production, packing, and commercial programs for various markets.

Twin River's partners cultivate blueberries in Oregon and Washington, in addition to investing in raspberry production in Mexico and working with partner growers in the western United States, Peru, Mexico, and Chile. For Ben Escoe, president and CEO of Twin River Berries, the acquisition of Oregon Berry Packing is a strategic step to scale the business while maintaining its regional roots and specialization in berries.

Synergies in genetics and fruit quality

For several years, Twin River has maintained a close collaboration with Oregon Berry Packing, especially in the development of new blueberry genetics in Oregon. Both companies share key traits: a focus on berries—with an emphasis on blueberries—, a strong production background, vertical integration in cultivation, packing, and marketing, and a strong orientation toward quality, innovation, and long-term relationships with customers and growers.

This shared history paved the way for the next step. The acquisition aims to leverage the work already done in genetic improvement and the combined expertise in fruit quality and consistency. Escoe emphasizes that this foundation will allow them to develop materials that better meet the demands of target markets and the requirements of the most stringent retail programs.

A more integrated berry platform

The acquisition decision stems from the objective of “strengthening and expanding the berry platform while maintaining a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest,” explains Escoe. The addition of Oregon Berry Packing to the Twin River family formalizes an existing collaboration and opens up opportunities for further synergies in areas such as packaging and logistics. Combining Oregon Berry Packing’s packaging and export capabilities in the Northwest with Twin River’s global sourcing and distribution network aims to further strengthen the group’s logistical position.

From the customer's perspective, the goal is to offer international retailers and buyers a more unified and stable berry program year-round. Under a single, integrated platform, Twin River aims to consolidate specifications, certifications, and services, delivering greater consistency in the purchasing experience and supply of blueberries and other berries.

© Twin River Berries

Continuity and responsible expansion

On the organizational front, Ben Escoe will assume the role of president and CEO of both Twin River Berries and Oregon Berry Packing, while Zane Coleman, current chief operating officer of Twin River, will move into the same role at Oregon Berry Packing. The company emphasizes that the expansion will be carried out responsibly, preserving the values ​​and relationships that the Oregon-based firm has built over decades.

The emphasis, Escoe notes, is on ensuring continuity for growers, workers, and customers, while integrating a widely respected Pacific Northwest grower and packer into a 12-month global berry program. “We are very pleased to add Oregon Berry Packing to our global berry platform. This step strengthens our offering, reinforces our connection to the Pacific Northwest, and allows us to project growth aligned with the needs of the markets and our grower partners,” he concludes.