84�SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2025�ABASTO.COM FOOD INDUSTRY By Abasto I n a major strategic move, GrubMarket has comple- ted its largest acquisition to date by purchasing San Diego-based Coast Citrus Distributors, a national powerhouse in tropical pro- duce distribution. This GrubMarket acquisi- tion expands the company’s footprint in the U.S. food supply chain and deepens its ability to deliver year-round access to high-demand items like mangos, chili peppers, and root vegetables throu- gh AI-driven logistics and eCommerce solutions. Coast Citrus, founded in 1950, distributes tropical fruits such as mangos, root vegetables, limes, and chili peppers sourced from Latin America and the U.S. With decades-long ties to growers and major retailers, the com- pany services Walmart, Cost- co, Publix, and more. DECADES OF GROWTH AND NATIONWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE Over 75 years, Coast Citrus has grown into a major im- porter with annual sales in the hundreds of millions. The company operates state-of- the-art facilities in California, Texas, and Florida, totaling nearly 500,000 square feet. Its ripening and packing sites offer customizable so- lutions for customers, whi- ����������������������������� ����������������������������� West Coast. Coast Citrus also meets high standards for food safety and ethical business practices, holding GRUBMARKET ACQUISITION BOOSTS TROPICAL PRODUCE ACCESS ACROSS U.S. ��������������������������- FS and SMETA. ONG-TERM RETAILER AND GROWER RELATIONSHIPS The GrubMarket acquisition brings a network of exclusi- ve grower partnerships and a loyal customer base built over decades. Coast Citrus’ ties to Latin American pro- ducers provide year-round supply and quality. “Coast Citrus has always been about providing the best product, price, and ser- vice with integrity,” said Isabel Freeland, President and CEO. “We’re proud of our team’s ownership men- tality and look forward to future growth with Grub- Market.” COAST CITRUS TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITHIN GRUBMARKET The company’s leadership will remain in place. Grub- Market’s model ensures its ��������� ����� ������� ����- nomy while integrating ad- vanced digital tools. The company continues acquiring key players across North America to transform traditional produce logistics with AI and software. GRUBMARKET CONTINUES STRATEGIC GROWTH WITH TECH INTEGRATION CEO Mike Xu said the Coast Citrus acquisition reflects GrubMarket’s commitment to building the most robust and innovative food supply network in North America. “Their strong tropical pro- duce expertise and grower ties align with our national expansion plans,” he said. GrubMarket, a global food eCommerce leader, will equip Coast Citrus with pro- prietary AI tools. These in- clude: • WholesaleWare, a SaaS ERP for wholesalers and distributors; • GrubAssist AI, a suite of AI assistants for order automation and analysis; • Orders IO, a branded eCommerce platform; and • GrubPay, a digital pay- ments system tailored for food logistics. Joining GrubMarket lets us scale responsibly. It enhances our ability to innovate across the supply chain.Tis transaction marks a major milestone for GrubMarket’s vertical integration strategy.” Isabel Freeland President and CEO