35 year anniversary

Over 35 years ago, it all began with one man and a bold idea. François Maes, after running a local grocery store and experimenting with berry sales and exotic produce, founded what would become Special Fruit.

Back in 1976, strawberries were just about the only soft fruit people recognized. Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries—even green asparagus—were niche, luxury items mostly reserved for high-end restaurants. But François saw potential where others didn’t. He traveled the world in search of top-quality soft fruit and took bold steps to bring them to the European market. It was a risky move—but the right one.

Fast forward to today: Special Fruit has grown into a thriving international company with 140 dedicated employees, a robust product portfolio, €168 million in sales, and customers in over 20 countries. We've built our reputation as berry specialists and trusted service partners, known for our flexibility and commitment to quality.

What started as a small venture has become a leading name in the world of soft fruit. And we’re just getting started.

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