NFT Distribution has won a six-month rolling contract with Essential Fruits because of its “port-centric” operation.

The temperature-controlled operator will collect containers of, store and distribute fruit from the company, which provides fresh produce for fruit salads, fruit juices and other fruit-containing products.

The rolling format of the deal is to match the seasonal nature of Essential Fruits’ business.

Emerge Vest-owned NFT will handle around 6,000 pallets of fresh fruit, mostly citrus product, for the company every week.

The company sources fruit from 50 providers around the world, so said it selected NFT because of its flagship Port of Tilbury in London.

Essential Fruits MD Dan Cahill said: “Essential Fruit imports and exports fruit products from all around the world and the port-centric chilled capability of NFT London, coupled with the network infrastructure of the wider NFT business, has provided a superior strategic location for our operations into and out of the UK.”

Dale Fiddy, strategic development director at NFT, said: “Essential Fruit use most of the ports in the South East of England and is a great example of NFT London providing commercial advantage regardless of the Port of entry into the UK.”