Switzerland-based Barry Callebaut has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the privately owned Spanish nut manufacturer La Morella Nuts S.A. The company is known as a leading nut specialist producing a variety of nut-based ingredients for the food industry in Europe. La Morella Nuts has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the nuts business with regard to sourcing, processing and innovation that allows for a wide range of products. The acquisition underlines Barry Callebaut’s strategic intention to strengthen its market position in adjacent products for both its Gourmet & Specialties Products and its Food Manufacturers Products business.

In other company news, under a new long-term partnership, Barry Callebaut will become Unilever’s global supplier and innovation partner for cocoa and chocolate. This new agreement builds on an existing, long-standing working relationship and will nearly double Barry Callebaut’s current volumes with Unilever. Ultimately Barry Callebaut will provide 70% of Unilever’s global cocoa and chocolate products. This will be achieved under a wide-ranging joint business development plan involving close cooperation across the areas of innovation, sustainable sourcing, capacity expansion and value improvement.