Darby, emerging market private capital arm of Franklin Templeton, has completed a debt investment in Bloom Farms, Mexican blueberry producer located in Jalisco. Transaction details were not disclosed.

(Press Release) Darby Overseas Investments, Ltd. (“Darby”), the emerging markets private capital arm of Franklin Templeton, today announced that Darby Latin American Private Debt Fund III, L.P. (“DLAPDF III”) has completed an investment in Bloom Farms, a leading Mexican blueberry producer located in the Jalisco region. Transaction details were not disclosed.

“Darby’s investment in Bloom Farms adds to our long-standing approach of building value by placing growth capital in companies with strong management teams, successful track records and solid business plans,” said Ignacio Aicardi, Managing Director at Darby.

Guillermo Romo, Chairman of the Board, with Bloom Farms, said, “Darby’s investment will allow Bloom Farms to continue to grow its business and develop additional available land, taking us one step closer to reaching our 1000 hectare goal. The investment will also provide resources to build new infrastructure to support our growth strategy.” The investment in Bloom Farms adds to Darby’s long history of investing regionally in Latin America in successful companies. Darby has played a pioneering role in bringing private debt investments to emerging market regions since 1999.

Bloom Farms
Bloom Farms is a specialty blueberry producer in Jalisco, Mexico. The company exports to the United States, Europe and Asia the best quality berries in the market. Bloom Farms has become a leader in blueberry production by maximizing output through technology, climate control and a holistic management of the plant.

About Darby
Darby Overseas Investments was founded in 1994 by The Honorable Nicholas F. Brady, who served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury between 1988 and 1993. In 2003 Darby became a fully owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton. Franklin Templeton’s goal is to deliver better outcomes by providing global and domestic investment management to retail, institutional and sovereign wealth clients in over 170 countries. Through specialized teams, the Company has expertise across all asset classes, including equity, fixed income, alternatives and custom multi-asset solutions. The Company’s more than 600 investment professionals are supported by its integrated, worldwide team of risk management professionals and global trading desk network. With employees in over 30 countries, the California based company has more than 70 years of investment experience and approximately $688 billion in assets under management as of January 31, 2020. For more information, please visit investors.franklinresources.com.

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