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. Many of Barry Callebaut’s customers are asking for combinations of chocolate and nut products. With the acquisition of La Morella Nuts, Barry Callebaut will become a European leader in nut products extending 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, macadamia and others.

La Morella Nuts manufactures about 8000 tons of nut specialties per year and generated sales revenue of about CHF 40 million (EUR 33 million/$42 million) in 2011 with 90 employees. The company was founded in 1986 in Reus, Spain. La Morella Nuts has two state-of-the-art plants in Castellvell del Camp and Reus, where its headquarters are located.

La Morella Nuts will be integrated in Barry Callebaut’s business Region Europe as of January 2012.

Joaquim Barriach, CEO of La Morella Nuts, said: “We feel proud to become a part of Barry Callebaut. Their knowledge, market reach and combination with chocolate will help us to further grow our business. Barry Callebaut makes it possible for us to better position ourselves as a premier manufacturer of quality nuts.”

Juergen Steinemann, CEO of Barry Callebaut, said: “The acquisition of La Morella Nuts is an excellent addition to our business. With La Morella Nuts we are becoming a leading expert in nut-based products, which is a great adjacent offering to our existing Gourmet and Food Manufacturers Products business in Europe, in line with our announced strategy.”