Belgian family-owned food group Vandemoortele has acquired Dolciaria Acquaviva, an Italian producer of frozen pastries, patisserie, and savoury specialties.
The acquisition, from private equity firms Apheon and the Acquaviva family, strengthens Vandemoortele's position in Italy's frozen bakery market, including bread, savoury specialties, pastries, and patisserie.
Founded in 1979, Dolciaria Acquaviva has grown from a small artisanal bakery focused on Neapolitan specialties into a leading Italian manufacturer. Renowned for its wide selection of sweet and savoury offerings, the company is known as an 'industry innovator'.
Headquartered in Gricignano d'Aversa (Caserta), the company generated a turnover of approximately €120 million in 2023 and employs over 200 people. Through its four production plants across Italy, Dolciaria Acquaviva distributes its products to over 40,000 daily customers within the Italian HoReCa channel.
'Drive Continued Growth'
Yvon Guérin, CEO of Vandemoortele, commented, “We will combine our strengths and expertise to drive continued growth. This combination will allow us to create powerful synergies in terms of product portfolio, brands, innovation, and distribution in one of the countries where Vandemoortele has been active for some time and which makes a substantial contribution to the group's total turnover.”
While closing details are confidential, finalisation of the deal is expected imminently. Vandemoortele, already active in Italy with established brands like Agritech and Doony's, hopes to expand its bakery and plant-based food offerings in the HoReCa and retail channels through this acquisition.
Italy is the second largest market for Vandemoortele, with a brand portfolio including Agritech (bread), Lanterna (focaccia and pizza), Banquet D’Or (sweet pastry), Doony’s (donuts), Patisserie du Chef (patisserie).
