FRESNO, CA - An update has come down the pipeline regarding Prima Wawona and its farmland. Thirteen thousand acres of the grower’s farmland have been purchased in total, leaving 1,300 acres.

Emerging as the largest single buyer of land was the joint venture partnership of Sun Pacific, which has packing houses in Tulare, Fresno, and Kern counties, and Moonlight Companies in Reedley. 

According to The Fresno Bee, the two companies purchased approximately 5,000 acres for a total price of $91 million, court documents explained.

“We have admired them and they have been industry leaders for two generations,” Russ Tavlan, Owner of Moonlight Companies, said. “They were both best in class and I am excited to have those two legendary farming companies woven into the fabric of Moonlight and Sun Pacific.”

Tavlan noted that he and Berne Evans, Owner of Sun Pacific, were honored to buy a share of property from two legacy farming families.

“I’ve always looked at the headwinds as opportunities. Although we have seen a retraction in the California stonefruit industry over the decades, I believe we have been able to successfully navigate it because we are good at what we do,” he added.

Although Sun Pacific has carved out a lucrative niche in the citrus market with Cuties®, Tavlan said that a “vast majority” of the newly acquired acreage will remain in treefruit.

We’ll continue covering the latest in the California farming industries, so stay tuned to us here at ANUK.