Family-run raisin company sold after 55 years in Fresno County. ‘It’s time ... to retire’

National Raisin Company — a fixture of the California raisin industry for 55 years — is turning over the family-run company to a new owner.

The deal, whose terms were not disclosed, was announced in a joint news release from the Fowler-based company and Empresas Sutil , one of Chile’s leading agribusinesses.

Founded in 1969 by Ernest, Krikor and J. Kenneth Bedrosian, the local raisin packer employed up to 500 people at its peak, processing a variety of raisins and other dried fruits. National is also the creator of Raisels, fruit-flavored golden raisins.

In March, the raisin company agreed to pay $2 million to settle a federal lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.

Kenneth Bedrosian, when reached at home Tuesday, declined to comment other than to say, “It’s time for me to retire.”

In a statement, Bedrosian said: “The Bedrosian family and that National Raisin Company are pleased to be part of this new global approach to dried fruit marketing. This event will add stability to the world raisin market. Most importantly it will benefit the California raisin growers, allowing for direct positive impact from a world markets perspective.”

Raisin growers, a majority who farm in Fresno County, have had their share of ups and downs with prices and weather-related problems. This year, however, growers will receive the second-highest price for their raisins — $2,016 per ton — even as the industry continues to see an exodus of growers.

In the past two decades, raisin grape acreage has plummeted statewide from 280,000 acres, the bulk of it in Fresno County, to about 70,000 acres of conventional raisin grapes.

Still, Sutil officials said their company is well positioned to expand the market for National raisins in North America and Asia. National will also benefit from the vast global customer base Sutil has through Pacific Nut Company, one of its companies.

Juan Sutil, founder and chairman of Empresas Sutil, said he was honored to take over the reins of the National Raisin Company from the Bedrosian family.

“We are committed to continuing to cultivate National’s long lasting relationship with its employees, customers, California growers, suppliers and the community, always aiming at excellence and guided by our core values of trust, responsibility, transparency and respect.”

The purchase of National is expected to close by Sept. 30.