In 2021, pet food business acquisitions, mergers and similar deals occurred more frequently than the previous year, increasing more than 75%, reported Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. These 44 business deals occurred in 2021 among dog, cat and other pet food producers, suppliers and others.
1. Brightpet Nutrition Group acquires miraclecorp pet treats
JANUARY 4, 2021
The transaction will bring together miraclecorp’s portfolio of brands with brightpet’s production capabilities and roster of brands.
2. Manna Pro acquires Bullymake subscription pet box brand
JANUARY 4, 2021
Manna Pro Products, a St. Louis-based manufacturer and marketer of pet care and nutrition, has agreed to acquire Bullymake. Bullymake is a direct-to-consumer dog subscription box built specifically for power chewer dogs.
3. Dane Creek Capital acquires Growlies Pet Foods retailers
JANUARY 5, 2021
This transaction marks Dane Creek’s first acquisition of a pet specialty retailer.
4. Partner in Pet Food acquires Landini Giuntini in Italy
JANUARY 21, 2021
Partner in Pet Food, a European pet food manufacturer, acquired Landini Giuntini, an Italian pet food manufacturer. The consideration for the transaction is not disclosed.
5. Vafo Group opens Czech pet food plant, invests in Finland
FEBRUARY 26, 2021
Leading European pet food producer investing in new factory, expanding via acquisitions.
6. United Petfood acquires UK-based Cambrian Pet Foods
MARCH 1, 2021
International pet food producer, United Petfood, announced the acquisition of the British manufacturer Cambrian Pet Foods.
7. Wind Point Partners acquires foodscience Corporation
MARCH 10, 2021
Wind Point invests in producer of nutritional supplements for humans and pets.
APRIL 9, 2021
Acquisition expands company's presence in the bird market.
9. Chr. Hansen Natural Colors acquires SECNA
APRIL 27, 2021
Pet food colorant provider, Chr. Hansen Natural Colors, an EQT portfolio company, announces its first major transaction after becoming a standalone company, further bolstering the company’s position as the world leader in natural colors.
10. Pet Food Experts announces acquisition of United Pacific Pet
APRIL 29, 2021
Transaction expands geographic footprint and increases service to over 5,300 independent retailers
11. Tyson sells pet treat brands to General Mills for US$1.2B
MAY 14, 2021
Tyson Foods, Inc. Is selling its pet treats business to General Mills, Inc. For approximately US$1.2 billion.
12. Colombian Grupo Nutresa acquires Costa Rica pet food maker
JUNE 8, 2021
This recent deal signifies the packaged foods conglomerate’s vision for growth in a strong pet food market.
13. Elanco acquires Kindred Biosciences pet pharmaceuticals
JUNE 18, 2021
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated executives agreed to acquire Kindred Biosciences, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel pet therapeutics based on validated human targets.
14. Oterra to acquire Diana Food’s coloring business
JUNE 21, 2021
Natural pet food color provider, Oterra, formerly known as Chr. Hansen Natural Colors A/S, announced plans to acquire Diana Food’s natural food coloring business.
15. BRF aims to be a top pet food company by 2025
JUNE 21, 2021
In securities filings from June 18, Brazilian company BRF, one of Brazil’s top poultry and other food producers, announced plans to acquire pet food company Hercosul.
16. 3D Corporate Solutions acquires All American Pet Proteins
JUNE 22, 2021
3D Corporate Solutions, a manufacturer of specialty proteins and fats used in premium pet food, has acquired Colorado-based specialty protein manufacturer All American Pet Proteins ("AAPP").
17. BRF Pet acquires Brazilian Mogiana Alimentos pet food
JUNE 29, 2021
Mogiana Alimentos has been in the pet food market for more than 46 years. The company is headquartered in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
18. Nutreco to acquire Bigsal Nutrição Animal
JULY 8, 2021
Partnership will strengthen company's animal nutrition division in Brazilian market.
19. Barentz acquires Pestell Nutrition
JULY 8, 2021
Collaboration establishes animal nutrition globally.
20. LINXIS Group acquires Bakon
JULY 8, 2021
Partnership will further strengthen LINXIS' expertise and excellence.
21. Cargill invests in animalbiome pet gut health company
July 26, 2021
To accelerate the introduction of new products and insights in the pet microbiome modulation space, Cargill announced an investment in animalbiome, a start-up using microbiome science to restore pet digestive and skin issues.
22. Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition acquires Ametza’s forage pellet business
July 14, 2021
Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition acquires Ametza’s forage pellet business.
23. Mid America Pet Food acquires Nature’s Logic pet foods
August 2, 2021
Nature’s Logic joins the Mid America Pet Food portfolio of brands, which includes VICTOR superpremium pet food.
24. Schenck Process to acquire SHAPE
August 4, 2021
Schenck Process to acquire SHAPE.
25. EU investors acquire Whitebridge Pet Brands from US firm
August 4, 2021
In 2021, private equity investment groups continue adding dog, cat and other pet food companies to their portfolios. In 2021, private equity investment groups continue adding dog, cat and other pet food companies to their portfolios, sometimes from other investors.
26. Dane Creek acquires pet specialty Vancouver Island Retailers
August 5, 2021
Dane Creek Corp completes acquisition over two pet food specialty retailers, adding up to 40% of acquired business' expected in 2021 revenues.
27. Partner in Pet Food to acquire Polish Mispol pet food
August 5, 2021
Partner in Pet Food, a pet food manufacturer based in Hungary, reached an agreement with NDX Group, a privately held investment firm based in Lithuania, to buy the Mispol Group pet food company.
28. Bliss Industries joins CPM
August 9, 2021
Bliss Industries joins CPM.
29. Firm merges Primal Pet Foods, Prairie Dog and others
August 17, 2021
With this acquisition, Kinderhook will bring together portfolio companies Primal Pet Foods and Prairie Dog Pet Products, a premium specialty manufacturer and marketer of freeze-dried, smoked and natural dog treats.
30. CODICO acquires sanypet premium dry and wet pet food
August 20, 2021
CODICO Nutrition Animale acquires sanypet, a European premium dry and wet pet food producer.
31. Manna Pro continues pet e-commerce buys with Dinovite
September 10, 2021
Manna Pro’s online market share across its major categories grew 31% in 2021 as of July 21, according to data from Nielsen, compared to 9% for those categories in general.
32. BRF concludes Hercosul and Moginana acquisitions
September 10, 2021
Brazil-based company will pay BRL1.35 billion for the assets.
33. ADM acquiring 75% of P4 private label pet treats, supplements
September 10, 2021
Learn more about this transaction that values the four enterprises in their entirety at approximately US$600 million, and ADM will acquire 75% of the equity.
34. Chinese private equity buys ziwipeak air-dried pet food
September 28, 2021
China-based private equity firm fountainvest Partners will acquire pet food company Ziwi, maker of ziwipeak brand.
35. Private equity firm acquired Pet Ventures/Pet ‘n Shape
September 28, 2021
Pet ‘n Shape is an emerging brand of pet treats and chews that offers a full-line of branded products made from natural ingredients.
36. GFI acquires a pet food ingredients production facility
October 6, 2021
GFI launches plant-based pet food ingredients business unit.
37. Nabtesco acquires Engilico Group
October 7, 2021
Nabtesco acquires Engilico Group.
38. Belgian United Petfood acquires Dutch Teeling Petfood
October 27, 2021
Teeling Petfood has been producing wet food for both dogs and cats since 1989. The Dutch company employs approximately 100 people and has production sites in Hoogeveen and Heerhugowaard.
39. 3D Corporate Solutions acquires linkone Marine Solutions
November 5, 2021
3D Corporate Solutions, an Olympus Partners portfolio company, and a leading manufacturer of specialty proteins and fats used in premium pet food, has acquired Missouri-based marine protein manufacturer linkone Marine Solutions.
40. Transcontinental acquires H.S. Crocker to expand packaging solutions
November 9, 2021
Transcontinental announced that it has acquired H.S. Crocker Co., Inc., a manufacturer of die cut lids for the food industry and labels for the pharmaceutical industry.
41. J.M. Smucker sells private label kibble to Diamond Pet Foods
December 2, 2021
Learn more about how The J.M. Smucker Co. Sold its private label dry pet food business, including its manufacturing facility in Frontenac, Kansas, to Diamond Pet Foods, Inc., in a cash transaction valued at approximately US$33 million.
42. Private equity Antelope acquires Bocce’s Bakery pet treats
December 3, 2021
Antelope, a natural pet food, treat and other product brand conglomerate, acquired of Bocce’s Bakery, a natural, limited-ingredient pet treats company.
43. DSM to acquire Vestkorn Milling
December 6, 2021
Royal DSM, a global purpose-led science-based company, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Norwegian company Vestkorn Milling, one of Europe’s leading producers of pea- and bean-derived ingredients for plant-based protein products, for an enterprise value of €65m.
44. Capvest’s Inspired Pet Nutrition acquires Pet Food UK
December 17, 2021
The acquisition is the start of a growth strategy for Inspired Pet Nutrition, who hopes to internationalize over the next few years.
