Credit: Mironov Vladimir/ Shutterstock.com.
Vall Companys has entered a “strategic alliance” with pork producer Grupo Pacuca in Argentina, expanding the Spanish meat group’s presence in Latin America.
As part of the agreement, Vall Companys will provide a $14m “participatory” loan to the Argentine firm to help optimise its operations.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The loan can be converted into shares in two years, with Vall Companys’ eventual stake determined by Pacuca’s valuation at the time of conversion.
Vall Companys said Pacuca is among the “largest pork processors” in Argentina.
The company employs more than 500 people with its operations spanning feed manufacturing, pig production and meat processing.
It produces around 50,000 tonnes of feed a year and runs farms with 7,000 sows and 85,000 fattening pigs.
Pacuca’s operations also include a slaughter and processing facility with a capacity of 2,000 animals per day.
In addition, the group owns the Cabaña Argentina brand of fresh and processed pork products, along with seven retail stores.
Vall Companys international projects head Tomás Blasco said: “This alliance is crucial for both companies; it will allow us to maximise production operations to meet market demands both nationally and internationally.”
The deal builds on Vall Companys’ international expansion strategy, which began in 2016.
The family-owned business said it has taken positions – mainly minority stakes – across Latin America, including investments in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile through its Brazilian subsidiary.
Last year, Vall Companys struck a deal with Mexico’s Sigma Alimentos covering a clutch of assets in Spain.
The tie-up saw Vall Companys take majority ownership of Sigma’s slaughterhouse and cutting facilities in Burgos. It also transferred the Agroalimentaria Chico pig farm to Deporcyl, a venture between the two companies.
In 2024, Vall Companys reported a turnover of €4.16bn ($4.8bn). According to its website, it produces 614 thousand tonnes of pork, 368 thousand tonnes of chicken and 17 thousand tonnes of beef.
It works with around 2,400 partner firms and employs more than 14,000 people.