McCain Foods is selling its vegetable manufacturing operations in South Africa to US-based Enduring Ventures.
Under the terms of the deal, Enduring Ventures will gain ownership of the Harvestime brand. Financial details were not disclosed.
The investor intends to build the Harvestime product range by rolling out a new “premium” frozen vegetable line in South Africa.
McCain said the sale fits its strategy to “strengthen” its core potato portfolio.
Gaynor Poretti, the managing director of McCain's South African arm, said: “This strategic decision supports our ambition to focus on our potato business, where we see significant opportunities for innovation and growth. By streamlining our operations, we can invest further into technology and product development for the South African market.”
The sale includes a factory in Springs, Gauteng and a raw processing plant in Marble Hall, Limpopo, Together, the sites have more than 350 employees.
Xavier Helgesen, managing director of Enduring Ventures, called the deal a “meaningful step” in expanding its existing presence in South Africa.
“We are committed to partnering with the team, growers, and suppliers to continue delivering quality and stability while building on the strong foundations already in place.”
The buyer positions itself as a holding company following the “inspiration” of Berkshire Hathaway.
According to its website, it acquires and runs businesses for the long term rather than pursuing a typical private equity exit, with a focus on sustainability, not "growth at all-costs".
The sale follows two other disposals by McCain in the last two years.
In September 2024, McCain sold frozen-pizza assets – comprising the Sibarita brand and a manufacturing plant in Pilar, Buenos Aires province – to Molinos Río de la Plata, the food arm of Grupo Perez Companc.
Meanwhile, in March that year, McCain agreed to sell its Netherlands-based fresh potatoes asset CelaVita to Dutch investment group Nimbus.
CelaVita, acquired in 2012, produces parboiled, fully cooked and ready-to-eat potatoes, as well as “natural and seasoned produce” under the McCain label, and includes a production site in Wezep, Gelderland.
A month ago, McCain acquired US potato-products group Penobscot McCrum.
