Justin Parnagian, CEO of Fowler Packing, holds the Peelz mandarins his company grows and packs. Photo contributed

Fowler Packing has acquired Parlier-based SunWest Fruit Co., adding 10,000 acres of farmland in premier water districts, according to published reports.

It was the largest acquisition of Fowler Packing’s history, reported Sacramento-based produce industry news website andnowuknow.com.

Established in 1950, third generation-family-owned Fowler Packing markets the popular Peelz brand of mandarins.

“Given the significant headwinds facing California agriculture, we are constantly evaluating how we can better support our retail partners, consumers, and employees,” said CEO Justin Parnagian, in a statement published by produce industry trade publication The Packer. “This is the largest acquisition in Fowler Packing’s history and represents a historic moment for our family-owned company.”

The acquisition solidifies Fowler Packing’s position in the rapidly growing mandarin industry, according to published reports, with Peelz sales growing by more than 60% last year.

SunWest is also a longtime family-owned company, tracing its roots to German immigrant Albert Britz, who came to the U.S. in 1936 with $20 in his pocket. He went on to purchase a Parlier area fruit orchard in 1972, building the business from the ground up, according to the company website.

Messages left for SunWest and Fowler Packing were not returned Monday.