SunOpta has offloaded another set of assets, agreeing a deal to sell its frozen açaí and smoothie bowls business to California-headquartered Sambazon.
The transaction, the terms of which were not disclosed, comes five months after SunOpta shook on a deal for its frozen fruit assets.
Just Food has contacted SunOpta to comment on the sale of the frozen açaí and smoothie bowl assets.
The deal was announced by Sambazon, which said it had wanted to expand its manufacturing facilities in the US.
The new lines double the company’s output and expand its ability to make bowl-based products.
At present, Sambazon’s are made at two facilities in Brazil. The group said buying the SunOpta assets will support its “eco commitments on packaging and certified organic products”, while improving its speed to market in the US.
The company, founded in 2000, sells products such as smoothie packs, ready-to-eat açaí bowls and juices.
Ricardo Perdigao, Sambazon’s COO and CFO, added: “This strategic acquisition signifies a major advancement in Sambazon’s ability to distribute nutritious, sustainably sourced superfoods more broadly, building a strong and diversified bowl business to deliver exceptional value and impact in the health food sector.”
In October, SunOpta sold a batch of frozen-fruit assets to Canada-based Nature’s Touch.
At the time, Joe Ennen, then SunOpta’s CEO, said the deal with Nature’s Touch was “a major milestone in our portfolio optimisation efforts”. The company, he explained, was on “a multi-year transformation to becoming a leading manufacturer of value-add products in plant-based and healthy snack categories”.
In December, SunOpta announced Ennen was stepping down from the role, to be replaced by former Calavo Growers and Castellini executive Brian Kocher.
Last April, the group laid out a long-term goal to double its revenue, from the $935m recorded in SunOpta’s 2022 financial year to $2bn in the next five to seven years.
To achieve these goals, it said it planned to focus its M&A in three core areas: plant-based drinks, better-for-you snacks and nutrition beverages.
