Turkey's largest flour producer and exporter, Ulusoy Un, has taken a significant step in its strategy to expand into high value-added sectors by purchasing 85% of the shares of Pastificio Mediterranea S.r.l., which has been producing high-quality Italian pasta for over 100 years in the Silvano d'Orba region of Italy, from the Spanish Cerealto group.
Turkey's largest flour producer, Ulusoy Un, has added another significant step to its growth journey. In line with its strategy to expand into high value-added sectors, Ulusoy Un has acquired 85% of the shares of Pastificio Mediterranea S.r.l., which has been producing high-quality Italian pasta for over 100 years in the Silvano d'Orba region of Italy, from the Spanish Cerealto group. The founding Moccagatta family will continue to serve within the company and transfer their expertise.
Pastificio Mediterranea, whose roots date back to 1908, began pasta production in the hills 30 kilometers from Genoa and the Mediterranean, using traditional Italian pasta-making techniques. By 1936, handcrafted production had transitioned to the region's first automatic pressing systems. In the 1950s and 1960s, the company's product portfolio was introduced to international markets with the iconic Moccagatta suitcase. In 2003, to meet increasing demand, a modern facility was established in Silvano d’Orba, replacing the plant in Ovada. Pastificio Mediterranea offers high-quality Italian pasta in over fifty different shapes and sizes, marketed under various brands, primarily "Moccagatta dal 1908," catering to diverse geographical markets. The company also engages in private label production. Pasta, which can be consumed in various forms across different cultures, is considered one of the world's most important foods due to its long shelf life, high nutritional value, and versatility with different sauces. Italian pasta not only stands as one of Italy's iconic foods but also holds the largest share in global exports and consumption in the premium segment produced entirely from 100% durum wheat.
An assertive entry into the pasta sector
Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy
Dr. Eren Günhan Ulusoy, Chairman of the Board of Ulusoy Un, stated regarding the acquisition, “The knowledge accumulated by Pastificio over more than 100 years has impressed us. We believe that our new strategic investment in high-quality, value-added pasta production will strengthen Ulusoy Un's growth efforts and accelerate our future investments and successes. With our group’s raw material supply capabilities and extensive customer network across different geographies, we will contribute to the growth of Pastificio and further expand its geographical reach. At the same time, we believe that this strategic investment, which allows us to take our first step into the pasta sector, will accelerate our global objectives at Ulusoy Un and open doors to new successes.”
Ulusoy Un's CEO, Zahit Çetin, stated: “This investment will be one of the milestones of our sustainable growth strategy. We take pride in making a strong entry into the pasta sector. With the knowledge and expertise that the established facility and specialized team in Italy will bring, we will continue to strengthen our position in various areas of the food sector. We have acquired a company with a rich brand heritage. We believe that we will create strong synergies with our vertical growth strategy in sectors that utilize wheat, a fundamental food source for humanity, as a raw material.”
“We are confident that we will take our company to the next level together”
Regarding the acquisition, Marco Ferraroni, General Manager of Pastificio Mediterranea, stated: “We are excited to continue our journey with an important group that shares the values and goals of our company. Together, we are confident that we will take our company to the next level.” Meanwhile, Cerealto CEO Bosco Fonts expressed: “We are confident that Pastificio will have significant growth opportunities by leveraging Ulusoy Un’s vision, experience, and extensive global business network and customer base. I would like to thank the Pastificio team for their remarkable results in recent years and the effort and dedication they have shown, and I wish them great success in the new future with Ulusoy Un.”