Fresh Del Monte Produce, a global producer and marketer of fresh and prepared foods, announced that it has completed the acquisition of select assets from Del Monte Foods Corporation II Inc. and its affiliates in a transaction valued at approximately $285 million. The deal was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey as part of a court-supervised sale process under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
The acquisition represents a significant milestone for the food industry, reuniting the Del Monte brand under a single owner for the first time in nearly four decades. By bringing together fresh and shelf-stable product lines, the company aims to create a more unified global strategy across categories and strengthen one of the most recognized brands in food.
As part of the transaction, Fresh Del Monte gains global ownership of the Del Monte brand, subject to existing licensing arrangements, along with key packaged and prepared food businesses. These include the Del Monte and S&W packaged vegetable brands, Del Monte and Contadina packaged tomato products, and the Del Monte refrigerated fruit business.
The acquisition also includes a diversified operational footprint, with four U.S. facilities located in Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Washington, as well as two manufacturing facilities in Mexico and one operation in Venezuela. In addition, the company acquires associated inventory, operating assets, employees, and key customer and supplier contracts, ensuring continuity across the business.
Certain assets were excluded from the transaction, including canned fruit and other ambient packaged fruit products for the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, along with the College Inn and Kitchen Basics broth and stock brands and their related physical assets.
Fresh Del Monte expects the transaction to enhance brand consistency, expand consumer reach, improve operational efficiency, and support long-term value creation. The company also sees opportunities to accelerate innovation across both fresh and packaged product platforms while unlocking new growth avenues through brand extensions and global licensing opportunities.
Following the closing, the newly acquired businesses will be integrated into a dedicated unit within Fresh Del Monte. The company indicated that there will be no immediate changes to products, packaging, or distribution, with a focus on maintaining seamless operations and supporting existing teams during the integration process. Additional details regarding financial performance and integration progress are expected to be shared during the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call.
The transaction was financed through a combination of cash on hand and availability under the company’s revolving credit facility. Rabobank served as the exclusive financial advisor to Fresh Del Monte, while Greenberg Traurig and Dickinson Wright acted as legal advisors.
KEY QUOTES
“Reuniting the Del Monte® brand under one global leader is a truly significant moment for our company. Del Monte has been one of the most recognized names in food for more than 140 years. While the brand has operated across separate platforms for the past four decades, its heritage has always been rooted in bringing quality food to consumers around the world. Bringing these businesses together allows us to move forward with a unified strategy that strengthens the brand across fresh and packaged categories while creating new opportunities for growth, innovation, and global reach. In many ways, this moment reflects the enduring trust and global recognition the Del Monte® brand has earned over generations and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the brand.”
Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.
