Italian poultry company Amadori has acquired the Unconventional plant-based foods division from fellow Italian firm Granarolo.
Details of the financial agreement were not disclosed.
In an official announcement, Amadori, based in Cesena, described the acquisition as “a fundamental pillar” for furthering its leadership in the protein sector. They emphasized that this acquisition provides “substance and coherence to the strategic vision summarized by the corporate brand Amadori – The Italian Protein Company.”
Amadori will take charge of managing and developing this business, with production continuing in Italy. The deal encompasses a facility located in Coriano, Rimini, and includes the “Unconventional 100% Vegetale” brand.
The product line under this brand features a variety of plant-based options, including burgers, patties, meatless sausages, nuggets, cutlets, strips, and even plant-based ribs and organic tofu items.
Amadori plans to leverage its logistics and sales network to foster the brand’s growth. CEO Denis Amadori remarked that this acquisition signifies “a significant acceleration in our growth path,” stating it positions the group as “one of the top three branded players in the plant-based processed foods sector.” He added, “Unconventional 100% Vegetale’ enhances our portfolio with innovative products that cater to consumers seeking a balanced and diverse diet.”
All workers at the Coriano facility will transition to Amadori, which employs over 9,400 people in Italy.
For Granarolo, this sale is part of a larger strategy to streamline its operations and concentrate on its dairy offerings. The plant-based food segment was launched by the dairy cooperative in 2020. Chairman Stanislao Fabbrino noted, “In our endeavor to simplify our business model, we are narrowing our focus to the milk and dairy products market.”
This divestment follows the recent leadership transition at Granarolo, with Fabbrino stepping in as chairman after Gianpiero Calzolari’s exit.
The dairy group reported revenues of €1.81 billion ($2.13 billion) for 2025. On a like-for-like basis, excluding currency impact, sales rose by 5.2%, primarily driven by international market growth and price hikes. However, its EBITDA climbed to €100.5 million, reflecting a 5.5% increase from 2024, while EBIT and net profit saw declines last year. EBIT fell by 13.8% to €28.2 million, and net profit dropped by 43.3% to €5.5 million.
For Amadori, this acquisition is part of a broader series of mergers and acquisitions. Earlier in 2023, the company acquired a 70% stake in poultry manufacturer Forno d’Oro to bolster its production capabilities and ready-to-eat product line, further enhancing its existing portfolio of plant-based items under the Amadori brand.
