US-based flour-milling business Ardent Mills is purchasing local business Andean Naturals’ quinoa sourcing, cleaning and packaging operation for an undisclosed sum.
Denver, Colorado-based Ardent Mills, a joint venture between branded food business Conagra Brands, agri-food giant Cargill and CHS, said the deal fits in with its strategy of investing further in speciality grain capabilities.
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The deal to buy the quinoa operation – based in Yuba City, California – is expected to close later this month.
Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills, said: “Our industry is rapidly changing as consumers’ appetite for variety in their diets continues to increase. As a result, we are making proactive investments in [its speciality grains business unit] The Annex to meet consumer demand for high-quality, nutritious grains and other sources of plant-based ingredients. With this acquisition, we will be able to offer a complete solution for quinoa and other gluten-free ingredients.”
Yuba City will be Ardent Mills’ first gluten-free sourcing and cleaning facility with the ability to expand to additional grains. It follows the acquisition of an organic grain elevator in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and the Denver RiNo investment to clean and pack speciality grains.
Andean Naturals’ president and founder Sergio Nunez de Arco will join Ardent Mills.
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By GlobalDataHe said: “For Andean Naturals, this mutually beneficial acquisition is the natural progression of our mission to share quinoa with the world. While we’ve built expertise in quinoa sourcing and connections to South American farmers, Ardent Mills brings milling and technical expertise, access to markets and the ability to scale quickly with a sustainable approach.”
Ardent Mills has more than 35 flour mills and bakery-mix facilities, along with a speciality bakery and Mobile Innovation Center, all located in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.
