Barry Callebaut takes over Spanish company La Morella Nuts

Barry Callebaut has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the privately owned Spanish nut manufacturer La Morella Nuts, which the latter is a nut specialist producing a variety of high quality nut-based ingredients for the food industry in Europe.

The Spanish company has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the nuts business with regards to sourcing, processing and innovation that allows for a wide range of products.

The acquisition of La Morella Nuts underlines Barry Callebaut's strategic intention to further strengthen its market position in adjacent products for both its Gourmet & Specialties Products and its Food Manufacturers Products business.

With the acquisition of La Morella Nuts, Barry Callebaut will extend its existing nut offerings with a wide spectrum of high-quality products, including almonds and hazelnuts, as well as specialty nuts like cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia.

La Morella Nuts manufactures about 8,000 tonnes of nut specialties per year and generated sales revenue of about CHF40 million ($42 million) in 2011 with 90 employees.

The company was founded in 1986 in Reus, Spain.