Barry Callebaut is set to acquire privately owned Spanish nut manufacturer La Morella Nuts S.A. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
La Morella Nuts manufactures about 8,000 tons of nut specialties per year and generated sales revenue of about $42 million in 2011 with 90 employees. La Morella has two state-of-the-art plants in Castellvell del Camp and Reus, Spain, where its headquarters are located. The company will be integrated in Barry Callebaut's Europe business region as of January 2012.
The acquisition is in line with Barry Callebaut’s intention to strengthen its market position in both the gourmet & specialty products and food manufacturer businesses, according to the company. Barry Callebaut will become a European leader in nut products, extending its existing offerings with products such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia.