Ciruli Bros. inks long-term agreement with Agricola San Isidro
Ciruli Bros. inks long-term agreement with Agricola San Isidro
Ciruli Bros. LLC in Nogales, AZ, and Agricola San Isidro, a produce growing and shipping operation in Culiacan, Mexico, owned by Eduardo and Malena Leyson, have entered into a long-term agreement, according to Christopher Ciruli, a partner in Ciruli Bros.
Ciruli Bros., exclusive marketing agent for Amex Distributing Co., is a major distributor of mangos and melons, and also brokers an assortment of vegetable items. The San Isidro operation includes the world's largest eggplant plantation.
The agreement calls for Ciruli Bros. to market about 1 million packages of eggplant and about 300,000 packages of hothouse-grown red, yellow and orange bell peppers from San Isidro, which were formerly marketed by Malena Produce Inc. in Nogales under the "Malena" label.
Mr. Ciruli said that he is hopeful that the company will be able to continue selling the product in the Malena label. That label was originally established by Malena Leysons father, Juan B. Stamos, the founder of San Isidro.
Ana Astrid Celeya, who has been on sales at Malena Produce and its predecessor, Kittys Vegetables, for about 42 years, will also be coming over to Ciruli Bros., Mr. Ciruli told The Produce News on Wednesday, Sept. 14, just hours after the agreement was finalized. Gonzalo Avila, vice president and business manager of Malena Produce, was not immediately available for comment.
The Ciruli family has been friends with the Leysons for quite a while, Mr. Ciruli said. We have handled their product [on a brokerage basis] for over 40 years.
Similarly, the Ciruli familys association with Ms. Celeya goes back a long time, Mr. Ciruli said. My dad [Charles Ciruli Sr.] has been dealing with her for around 50 years, and we have a very close family relationship with her, so we couldnt be more excited to have a great grower with a great reputation as well as what we think is one of the top salespeople in the business.
Ciruli Bros. has also hired Bernie Pi?a as sales manager, Mr. Ciruli said. He will focus on building the companys line of shipping items.
Mr. Pi?a, who was to commence his new duties at Ciruli Bros. on Monday, Sept. 19, was previously on sales with Farmers Best International in Nogales. Bernies experience and understanding of produce sales and marketing will be a constructive addition to Ciruli Bros., Mr. Ciruli said.
According to a biographical profile provided by Ciruli Bros., Mr. Pi?a, a native of Nogales, earned a degree in finance from the University of Arizona and began his produce career as a buyer and inspector for Topco Associates in 1991. He later became a buyer for the Kroger Co. before joining Farmers Best in 1997.
Ciruli Bros., exclusive marketing agent for Amex Distributing Co., is a major distributor of mangos and melons, and also brokers an assortment of vegetable items. The San Isidro operation includes the world's largest eggplant plantation.
The agreement calls for Ciruli Bros. to market about 1 million packages of eggplant and about 300,000 packages of hothouse-grown red, yellow and orange bell peppers from San Isidro, which were formerly marketed by Malena Produce Inc. in Nogales under the "Malena" label.
Mr. Ciruli said that he is hopeful that the company will be able to continue selling the product in the Malena label. That label was originally established by Malena Leysons father, Juan B. Stamos, the founder of San Isidro.
Ana Astrid Celeya, who has been on sales at Malena Produce and its predecessor, Kittys Vegetables, for about 42 years, will also be coming over to Ciruli Bros., Mr. Ciruli told The Produce News on Wednesday, Sept. 14, just hours after the agreement was finalized. Gonzalo Avila, vice president and business manager of Malena Produce, was not immediately available for comment.
The Ciruli family has been friends with the Leysons for quite a while, Mr. Ciruli said. We have handled their product [on a brokerage basis] for over 40 years.
Similarly, the Ciruli familys association with Ms. Celeya goes back a long time, Mr. Ciruli said. My dad [Charles Ciruli Sr.] has been dealing with her for around 50 years, and we have a very close family relationship with her, so we couldnt be more excited to have a great grower with a great reputation as well as what we think is one of the top salespeople in the business.
Ciruli Bros. has also hired Bernie Pi?a as sales manager, Mr. Ciruli said. He will focus on building the companys line of shipping items.
Mr. Pi?a, who was to commence his new duties at Ciruli Bros. on Monday, Sept. 19, was previously on sales with Farmers Best International in Nogales. Bernies experience and understanding of produce sales and marketing will be a constructive addition to Ciruli Bros., Mr. Ciruli said.
According to a biographical profile provided by Ciruli Bros., Mr. Pi?a, a native of Nogales, earned a degree in finance from the University of Arizona and began his produce career as a buyer and inspector for Topco Associates in 1991. He later became a buyer for the Kroger Co. before joining Farmers Best in 1997.
