Nestlé is strengthening its presence in the health food category with the acquisition of a majority stake in Terrafertil, a natural foods company and main global producer of goldenberries.
The new investment puts Nestlé in a good position to lead the plant-food based segment in Zone Americas with the addition of the Nature’s Heart and Essential Living Foods brands.
Commenting on the acquisition, CEO of Nestlé Zone Americas Laurent Freixe said it aligns with the overall company vision.
“Consumers these days are increasingly looking for organic and natural food with high nutrient content. We are delighted to have Terrafertil as part of the Nestlé family, as we believe that they have built an exceptional foundation in providing consumers with a wide range of high-quality modern nutrition products. This investment allows Nestlé to strengthen its presence in fast-growing categories such as healthy plant-based foods, beverages and snacks. It is also aligned with our vision to be the leading nutrition, health and wellness company,” Freixe said.
Founding brothers of Terrafertil, David and Raul Bermeo described joining Nestlé as a “match made in superfoods heaven”.
“We will synergize the innovative spirit of Terrafertil with the strength of Nestlé in developing brands. We will combine forces to grow distribution, accelerate Research and Development, expand our marketing efforts, and most importantly, expand the positive impact we have on the communities and ecosystems where we operate,” they said in a statement.
Terrafertil collaborates with hundreds of small growers and local communities in Colombia and Ecuador to hand pick and carefully dry goldenberries to ensure the highest standards of product quality. Since it was founded in Ecuador in 2005, Terrafertil has expanded its presence in the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and the United Kingdom.
The company plans to expand its portfolio of healthy beverages, healthy snacks, organic superfoods and culinary specialities this year.
