Canada’s top mushroom producer sold to Irish company Fyffes

LEAMINGTON, Ont. – Canada’s top mushroom producer has been sold to an Irish food company for $145 million.

Leamington, Ont.-based Highline Produce Ltd. said early Friday that it had been acquired by Fyffes PLC, which markets fresh produce in Canada under the Fyffes, Turbana, Sol and Fresh Quest labels.

Highline, which was founded in 1961, has five facilities in Ontario and Quebec and sells about 26.3 million kilograms of mushrooms per year.

Fyffes has been in the fresh produce business for over 125 years and also has operations in Europe, the U.S., Central and South America.

Highline said its management team, led by CEO Glenn Martin, will continue to run the business.

The company says all five of its Canadian locations will remain in operation and the workforce of 1,150 employees will remain intact.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this transaction and joining Fyffes, given its long history and successful track record of growth,” Martin said.

“This arrangement will give us access to a global market leader in fresh produce.”