US rice processor Riviana Foods has announced that it has closed the transaction with its European joint venture partner, Spanish food group Ebro Puleva, that creates a new UK joint venture.


The new venture combines Riviana’s UK subsidiary, Stevens & Brotherton (S&B), with Ebro Puleva’s subsidiary, Joseph Heap & Sons.


S&B markets and distributes branded and private label rice, dried fruit and other food products in the UK. Heap is a major supplier of rice flour and bulk rice to industrial customers and also offers the Peacock rice brand to ethnic foodservice markets.


The joint venture company will be owned 51% by Ebro Puleva and 49% by Riviana.