Fresh Del Monte to acquire Del Monte Foods assets in US$285M deal 

USA – Fresh Del Monte Produce has been selected as the successful bidder to acquire various assets of California-based Del Monte Foods Corporation II Inc. for US$285 million, plus the assumption of certain liabilities in a court-supervised sale under Section 363 of the US Bankruptcy Code.  

The transaction, approved through a bankruptcy auction, remains subject to final court approval and regulatory clearances, including Hart-Scott-Rodino review. A sale hearing is scheduled for 28 January 2026, with completion expected by the end of the first quarter of 2026, contingent on the necessary approvals. 

The landmark deal will bring the Del Monte brand under a single owner for the first time in nearly four decades, aligning established pantry brands alongside Fresh Del Monte’s global fresh-produce business.  

By uniting fresh and shelf-stable food under one strategy, Fresh Del Monte said it expects to strengthen brand consistency, expand consumer reach across more occasions and channels, improve operational efficiency, and support long-term value creation.  

“Bringing the Del Monte brand back together reflects a long-held conviction of mine,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s chairman and CEO. “By uniting fresh and shelf-stable food under one strategy, we are honoring the brand’s legacy while supporting it for continued relevance and growth.”  

Under the agreement, Fresh Del Monte would acquire major business assets, including vegetable, tomato and refrigerated fruit product lines: such as the Del Monte and S&W packaged vegetable brands; Del Monte, Contadina and Take Root Organics tomato products; the Del Monte refrigerated fruit brand; and the Joyba ready-to-drink beverage brand.  

The deal also encompasses selected production and processing facilities in the United States — in Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington — as well as two plants in Mexico and one operation in Venezuela, along with associated customer and supplier contracts and inventory.  

Fresh Del Monte will gain global ownership of the Del Monte brand, subject to existing licensing arrangements across regions and product categories. This includes all US rights to the Del Monte, S&W, Contadina and Joyba trademarks, plus certain operating assets and employees in the US, Mexico and Venezuela.  

Exclusions from the transaction include the ambient canned fruit and fruit sauce products for the US, Puerto Rico and Mexico markets, as well as the College Inn and Kitchen Basics broth and stock brands, which are being acquired by B&G Foods under a separate arrangement.  

Upon closing, Fresh Del Monte plans to manage the acquired brands through a dedicated business unit to ensure continuity for retailers, foodservice partners, suppliers and consumers, with “no immediate changes” expected to products on shelf.  

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