Barentz bulks up protein portfolio with Balkans buyout

The acquisition will bring Soforebo Commerce's functional animal-based proteins under Barentz's portfolio.

Vice president of Barentz food and nutrition Geert Ingelbert said: “​Soforebo’s market share and products, especially their role as distributors of Essentia’s animal protein product range, bring synergy effects for Barentz business in the Balkans.​

“We already have a long-lasting partnership with Essentia in other countries, and this merger strengthens our cooperation and makes Barentz very strong in the animal protein field.”​

Soforebo’s founder and former CEO Tiedo de Boer said the merger with Barentz would allow the Sebian company, which has been in business for the past 24 years, to continue to expand. “We are very pleased with this consolidation,​” ​he added.

There will be no job losses but the current shareholders of the Serbian company, headquartered in the northern city of Sombor, will either resign or retire, a Barentz spokesperson said.

Barentz’s functional protein portfolio includes water lentil protein (lemnaceae), pea, wheat gluten, soy, whey and caseinates, collagen, rice protein and lupin.

It manufactures and distributes ingredients for branded and private label products in the bakery, cereals, confectionery and dairy sectors as well as processed savoury foods such as meat, fish, soups and sauces.

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