Austria's Agrana acquires Slovenia’s Mercator-Emba

Slovenian food producer Mercator-Emba, best known for products such as BenQuick cocoa powder and Sladki Greh dessert toppings, has been taken over by Austria's Agrana in what is its first production foothold in the country.

The Logatec-based company was sold to Agrana last year by retailer Mercator after its Croatian owner, Fortenova Group, said the unit no longer fitted its strategic focus, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

The value of the deal has not been disclosed, but citing unofficial sources Forbes Slovenia at the time reported it was worth €40-45 million.

Agrana has now completed the acquisition, having obtained regulatory clearance.

"The new production location in Slovenia has an important strategic role in achieving our goal of further growth in Europe," Agrana chief executive Stephan Büttner said in a statement after the transaction was finalised.

He said the acquisition "opens additional sales opportunities and enables access to new customer groups in the dynamically growing fast-food restaurant segment".

A manufacturer of toppings and syrups, Mercator-Emba supplies fast-food restaurants as well as wholesale and retail clients across Central, Southeast and Eastern Europe.

Company director Darja Jamnik said the deal marked the start of a new development phase.

"Today we are entering a new development period in which Emba ... will gain additional opportunities for further growth, technological development and strengthening of its market position."

The Logatec-based company employs around 100 people and generated €28.5 million in revenue and €3.2 million in net profit in 2024, the last year for which data are publicly available.

Agrana produces fruit preparations, flavours, syrups and other ingredients used by the dairy, bakery, beverage and food-service industries, and operates dozens of production sites worldwide.

FOTO: Matej Družnik/Delo