SK Capital Bets Big on Exotic Fruits with Brothers International Buy

NEW YORK, NY – April 22, 2026 – In a significant move highlighting private equity's growing appetite for the natural foods sector, New York-based investment firm SK Capital Partners has completed its acquisition of Brothers International Food Holdings. The deal gives SK Capital a controlling stake in the Rochester-based global supplier of natural fruit ingredients, positioning both firms to capitalize on the surging consumer demand for clean-label and exotic food products.

Founder Travis Betters will continue to lead the company he established in 2001, serving as President and CEO while retaining a significant ownership stake. This partnership model signals SK Capital's confidence in the existing leadership and strategy, aiming to accelerate growth rather than overhaul the successful business.

A Sweet Spot in a Booming Market

The acquisition arrives as the market for natural fruit ingredients experiences a major upswing. The global fruit concentrate and puree market, valued in the billions, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of between 4% and 10%, depending on the segment, through the next decade. This expansion is fueled by a powerful shift in consumer behavior toward healthier, more transparent food choices.

Brothers International sits squarely at the center of this trend. The company has carved out a specialized niche by sourcing, processing, and distributing tropical and exotic fruit concentrates and purees—such as passion fruit, guava, and dragon fruit—from a network spanning more than thirty countries. These are the very ingredients that food and beverage manufacturers are scrambling to incorporate into new products to meet the demand for novel flavors and "better-for-you" options.

"The Company is well-positioned to continue expanding its capabilities, benefiting from strong, long-term demand for natural and clean label ingredients,” noted Jack Norris, a Managing Director of SK Capital, in a statement announcing the deal. This sentiment underscores the core logic of the investment: backing a key supplier in a high-growth, trend-driven industry. Brothers also operates a direct-to-consumer and private-label business through its subsidiary, Brothers All Natural, which markets freeze-dried fruit snacks, giving it a foothold across the entire food value chain.

A Strategic Addition to a Specialized Portfolio

For SK Capital, a firm with over $8.5 billion in managed funds and a disciplined focus on specialty ingredients, the acquisition is a logical and strategic extension of its portfolio. This is not the firm's first foray into the food ingredients space. SK Capital has previously invested in companies like J&K Ingredients, a provider of clean-label bakery solutions, and Spectra Confectionery, a manufacturer of decorative toppings. This history demonstrates a clear playbook: identify founder-led companies in specialized, high-value sectors and provide the capital and expertise to scale them.

Brothers International stands out in a competitive landscape that includes massive players like ADM and Ingredion, as well as other specialized importers. Its key differentiator is its role as an end-to-end solutions provider. The company doesn't just trade ingredients; it manages the immense complexity of a global supply chain, offering integrated sourcing, logistics, quality assurance, and product development services. This allows its customers—major food and beverage companies—to "simplify complex global supply chains," as founder Travis Betters described the company's mission.

Fortifying a Resilient Global Supply Chain

Sourcing perishable, seasonal ingredients from dozens of countries is an operation fraught with risk. Climate change, geopolitical instability, and logistical bottlenecks pose constant threats to the availability and cost of raw materials. Brothers International has built its reputation on navigating these challenges, creating a resilient pipeline for hard-to-source ingredients.

The partnership with SK Capital is expected to supercharge these capabilities. The investment will likely fuel advancements in technology, expand logistical infrastructure, and support further strategic acquisitions. This is a continuation of a strategy that has already proven successful for Brothers. In the four years prior to the SK Capital deal, the company completed three key acquisitions under its previous partnership with Benford Capital Partners:
* Dennick FruitSource (2021): Expanded its B2B portfolio in tropical fruit juices.
* Hosh International (2023): Diversified its customer base and strengthened its global supplier network for juice concentrates.
* Food Partners (2025): Bolstered its capabilities in citrus supply and logistics coordination for North American and European markets.

Rob Abrams, a Principal at SK Capital, confirmed this forward-looking strategy. “We look forward to supporting the Company’s continued expansion, both organically and through strategic add-on acquisitions,” he stated. This dual approach of internal investment and external acquisition is designed to solidify Brothers' market leadership and enhance its ability to deliver consistent, high-quality ingredients despite global uncertainties.

A Founder's Vision, Amplified

The structure of the deal, with Travis Betters remaining at the helm, is a crucial element of the story. It represents a modern approach to private equity, where firms act as strategic partners rather than just financial engineers. By keeping the founder and his management team in place, SK Capital ensures continuity of vision, industry relationships, and operational expertise.

This model is particularly effective for founder-led businesses where deep-seated knowledge and a strong company culture are key assets. It allows the entrepreneurial spirit that built the company to continue driving it forward, now amplified by the resources and strategic oversight of a major investment firm.

Mr. Betters expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “SK Capital’s deep experience in food ingredients and strong track record of partnering with management teams make them an ideal partner for Brothers. We look forward to building on our established foundation and executing on our shared vision for growth.” This alignment between the founder's legacy and the investor's vision sets the stage for the next chapter of the company's expansion, promising to bring even more diverse and natural fruit ingredients to the global food market.