Ferrero Acquires Bold Snacks, Enters Protein Snack Market

In a strategic move to broaden its healthy snack portfolio, Italian confectionery giant Ferrero has announced its acquisition of Bold Snacks, a prominent Brazilian player in the premium protein snack market. This transaction marks Ferrero's initial foray into the burgeoning healthy snack segment within South America, signaling a significant expansion beyond its traditional confectionery offerings.

The deal will integrate Bold Snacks' operations, including its production facility and approximately 300 employees based in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, into the Ferrero Brazil structure. Founded in 2018 by Gabriel Ferreira, Bold Snacks has experienced rapid growth, driven by a digitally-focused business model and a range of premium protein bars. The company has recently diversified its product line to include whey protein powders, aligning with increasing consumer demand for functional and health-conscious food options.

Gabriel Ferreira, founder and CEO of Bold Snacks, expressed enthusiasm for the integration, stating, “Joining Ferrero presents an unparalleled opportunity for our company and our team. Recognition from a global food leader with a proven track record in cultivating iconic brands offers a unique pathway to accelerate our growth and introduce Bold Snacks to an expanded consumer base.”

Daniel Martinez Carretero, Chief Financial Officer at Ferrero Group, commented on the strategic importance of the acquisition: “We are delighted to welcome Bold Snacks into the Ferrero family. This acquisition represents our first step into the healthy snack category in South America. Bold Snacks is a dynamic brand with significant momentum in Brazil, and this move reinforces our market presence while supporting the ongoing development of our diverse product offerings across key global regions.”

This acquisition complements Ferrero's existing healthy snack brands, such as Eat Natural and Fulfil in Europe, and Power Crunch in North America. In Brazil, Ferrero, through its affiliate Dori Alimentos (acquired in 2023 by Ferrara Candy Company, a U.S. subsidiary of Ferrero), currently employs 4,500 individuals across five manufacturing sites and three offices. The global confectionery market, valued at over $100 billion, is seeing a notable shift towards healthier alternatives, with the protein snack segment experiencing particularly robust growth, projected to expand at a CAGR exceeding 7% in the coming years.

The integration of Bold Snacks occurs during a period of strong financial performance for the family-owned Italian group. For the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025, Ferrero Group reported consolidated revenues of €19.3 billion, a 4.6% increase year-over-year, supported by capital investments of approximately €1.1 billion. This strategic acquisition underscores Ferrero's commitment to inorganic growth and portfolio diversification within attractive, high-growth consumer categories.