Lusiaves Acquires Padesa, Bolstering Spanish Poultry Market

Portuguese poultry giant Lusiaves has significantly bolstered its presence in the Spanish market through the acquisition of a majority stake in Padesa, a prominent Catalan agri-food firm. This strategic move, valued at approximately €350 million, marks a substantial expansion for Lusiaves, reinforcing its position as a leading player in the Iberian poultry sector.

The deal sees the Portuguese family-owned group, headquartered in Leiria, integrate Padesa, a company with annual sales nearing €550 million and a workforce of close to 3,000 employees. This acquisition follows Lusiaves' previous strategic purchases of Spanish entities Oblanca and Avícola Segoviana, further solidifying its pan-Iberian operational network. Post-acquisition, Lusiaves anticipates its consolidated turnover to reach around €1.5 billion, with a combined workforce exceeding 9,000 individuals across Portugal, Spain, and France.

The original owners of Padesa, the Salvadó and Centelles families, will retain minority stakes and continue to manage the Amposta-based company. This continuity in leadership is expected to ensure a smooth integration and leverage existing expertise. Adding another layer to the transaction, Peruvian conglomerate Valora, which operates in the same sector through its subsidiary Tecavi, has joined as a minority partner, underscoring the international appeal and strategic importance of this consolidation.

Padesa, with a 53-year operational history, boasts a comprehensive value chain encompassing feed production, egg incubation, broiler and turkey farming, and the processing and distribution of fresh poultry products under the well-regarded Adelís brand. This vertical integration provides a robust foundation for continued growth and market penetration.

This acquisition is particularly noteworthy within the European poultry industry, a sector characterized by increasing consolidation driven by demands for efficiency, scale, and supply chain resilience. The Spanish poultry market, a significant contributor to the EU's agricultural output, has seen robust demand for protein sources, making strategic acquisitions like this crucial for market leaders aiming to capture greater market share and achieve economies of scale. The transaction was advised by the consultancy firm DC Advisory.

The expanded Lusiaves group is now better positioned to navigate evolving consumer preferences, regulatory environments, and competitive pressures. By integrating Padesa's established operations and market presence, Lusiaves is not only enhancing its revenue streams but also diversifying its product portfolio and geographical reach within key European markets. The involvement of Valora also signals potential future collaborations or market access opportunities.