Wessanen Buys Spain’s Top Maker of Organic Food Brands

A leading European firm in the organic and natural food market, Wessanen, is acquiring Biogran S.L., Spain’s leading manufacturer of organic food brands for about $72 million, a Wessanen press release announced Monday.

Wessanen, based in the Netherlands, noted that Biogran’s sales in Spanish health food stores and traditional grocery stores have grown in recent years, drawing in a net revenue of about $29 million in 2015. The Spanish company’s net revenue for 2016 is expected to reach about $34 million, the release said.

“The acquisition of Biogran broadens our geographic footprint and is a further step in the execution of our strategy and vision of becoming the leader of organic and sustainable food in Europe,” a statement by Wessanen’s chief executive officer, Christophe Barnouin, said. “Biogran gives us broad access to the growth potential in one of the most dynamic countries in the European organic market: The Spanish organic market has grown at double-digit rates over the last few years. The acquisition of Biogran represents a major growth opportunity for Wessanen to develop our business in the country.”

Biogran’s main product categories are ambient organic and natural foods like cereals and rice cakes. The transaction was conducted on a cash and debt-free basis, the Dutch company said.

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