2 Oct 2010

New kiwifruit cooperative to be formed

3:17 pm on 2 October 2010

Two post-harvest kiwifruit operators in the Bay of Plenty plan to merge to form a new grower-owned supply cooperative.

Satara Co-operative and EastPack say the merger will increase scale and improve efficiencies and quality.

A prospectus and investment statement will be issued in mid-November, and investors from both companies will vote on the merger in early December.

The merger needs support from three-quarters of investors to proceed.

Satara investors and shareholders will be offered $1.25 per share. Transactor shareholders will be given a one for one equity stake in EastPack.