Barilla buys dry pasta firm Catelli in $128.6m deal

Barilla has announced its acquisition of Ebro Foods’ Catelli dry pasta business in Canada, in a deal valued at CAD 165 million (approximately $128.6 million).

Ebro Foods, through its indirectly-owned Canadian subsidiary Catelli Foods Corporation, entered an agreement for the divestiture of its dry pasta business to Barilla back in October 2020. The acquisition closed on 29 January 2021.

Founded in 1867, Catelli offers a range of pasta including gluten-free, ancient grain and veggie options. In 2019, the Canadian brand reportedly posted a turnover of CAD 103.3 million (approximately $80.5 million).

As part of the deal, Barilla will acquire the Catelli, Lancia and Splendor brands, as well as a manufacturing plant in Montreal, Quebec.

The deal also marks an expansion of its North American operations and comes less than a month after Barilla purchased a majority stake in Pasta Evangelists, a UK company which delivers fresh pasta recipe boxes direct-to-consumers.

Following the acquisition, Ebro will maintain its presence in the Canadian market through its Garofalo, Olivieri, Minute Rice and Tilda brands.

“In Barilla, we’re leading the charge in transforming the pasta category, and as a category leader worldwide, it’s our mission to be an architect of growth,” said Claudio Colzani, CEO of the Barilla Group.

He added: “Given the synergies between our business strategies, commitments and values, Catelli dry pasta is a natural fit for the expansion of our business. This acquisition will help underscore the importance of our responsibility to not only serve and satisfy the ever-changing needs of consumers through innovation but also to anticipate them.”

Barilla has also announced the investment of €1 billion in Italy between 2020 and 2024 to fund several projects, including improvements of its existing pasta production sites and acquisitions in the country. Last year, Barilla finalised the purchase of the Muggia pasta plant from Pasta Zara.