Tropical Cheese expands into meat with acquisition of Cibao Meat Products
Cibao will operate as a dedicated meat division within the company
SPAIN – Investor-backed Hispanic foods producer Tropical Cheese has moved into the meat segment through the acquisition of Cibao Meat Products, marking a strategic expansion beyond its traditional dairy-focused business.
Under the transaction, the Induveca and Campesino brands, both well known in the Hispanic foods market, will become part of Tropical Cheese’s brand lineup, although the companies did not disclose the financial value of the deal.
Following the acquisition, Cibao will continue operating under its existing name as the Cibao Meat Products Division, maintaining its operational structure while integrating into Tropical Cheese’s wider business.
In a statement released on January 13, Tropical Cheese said the purchase is intended to broaden its range of branded Hispanic refrigerated foods, allowing the company to serve customers with a wider selection across multiple protein categories.
Victor Mehren, who assumed the role of chief executive officer of Tropical Cheese in September, said the transaction advances the company’s expansion plans by strengthening its meat operations and extending its presence across the Hispanic food sector and related distribution channels.
Mehren added that the combination is expected to enhance the company’s ability to supply customers through a wider product mix and expanded internal capabilities, while also supporting service and execution across its operations.
Heinz Vieluf Jr., president of Cibao Meat Products, said the move provides Cibao with access to additional operational resources, which he said would support further investment in the business and ongoing service to its customer base.
Background of the businesses
Tropical Cheese traces its origins to 1982, when it began as a milk delivery service in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, before developing into a producer of Latin American and Caribbean-style cheese and later adding products such as seafood, tortillas, and prepared foods.
In 2024, the company received what it described as significant investment from Avance Investment Management and AUA Private Equity Partners, with the founding Mendez family retaining a minority ownership position after the transaction.
Since securing that funding, Tropical Cheese has stated that its focus has been on expanding its product range and distribution footprint, with the goal of establishing a stronger position across the Hispanic refrigerated foods category on the US East Coast.
According to information published on its website, Tropical Cheese also supplies products beyond the United States, serving customers in markets across the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and parts of Europe.
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