Croatia’s Žito Group has successfully acquired a majority interest in local meat producer MI Ravlić.
Žito Group, based in the Slavonia region of north-east Croatia, has not disclosed the exact stake size or the purchase price associated with this acquisition of Mesna Industrija Ravlić.
In a statement, Žito described the acquisition as a “strategic partnership,” which aims to “inject new momentum into pig farming and the meat processing sector in Slavonia.”
However, this transaction requires clearance from Croatia’s competition authority.
MI Ravlić plays a crucial role in supplying retail chains across Croatia and is recognized as one of the largest meat producers in the country, as stated by Žito. Additionally, it operates a network of approximately 30 butcher shops.
Žito further highlighted that pig rearing and supply constitute the main segment of its operations, ranking it as the second-largest pig producer in Croatia. Currently, it manages ten farms with an annual pig fattening capacity of 175,000—a figure it aims to enhance with its stake in MI Ravlić.
Mato Božić, a board member at Žito overseeing agriculture, indicated that this investment is expected to boost capacity by an additional 90,000 pigs for the Dobro pork brand owner.
“This acquisition aligns with our vision to expand pig breeding capacities and enhance our meat industry alongside Dobro,” Božić stated. “By merging with MI Ravlić, we anticipate new opportunities in production and distribution capabilities.”
Meanwhile, Jozo Ljubičić, the Žito board member responsible for finance, remarked: “We plan significant investments in the Meat Industry Ravlić, which will elevate factory capacity and efficiency, fostering substantial growth in the company’s operations and employment levels, thereby ensuring job security for our workforce.”
Importantly, MI Ravlić will maintain its trading and brand names. The business, established in 1960, began as a butcher shop before expanding into processing.
In the mid-1990s, a slaughterhouse was opened in Petrijevci, also in the Slavonia region. Following this, a pork processing plant was launched in 2000, culminating in a more “modern” slaughterhouse in 2008, as detailed in the statement.
Mario Ravlić, the president of MI Ravlić, commented: “In Žito, we have gained a strong and reliable partner who, combined with our knowledge and experience, ensures the preservation of the 65-year-long tradition and business legacy of Ravlić.”
“With its financial strength and effective business model, Žito Group will, we believe, usher in a new era of development and growth for our enterprise in the fastest possible manner.”
