Badel 1862, a prominent Croatian company renowned for its alcoholic beverages, has reached an agreement to acquire the complete shareholding of Agrolaguna, a local producer of wine, cheese, and olive oil, as well as the winery Vinarija Novigrad, from the Fortenova Group.
Details of the financial aspects of this transaction remain confidential.
Fortenova issued a statement noting that owning Agrolaguna would significantly enhance Badel 1862’s leading position in the Croatian market for quality and premium wines.
This acquisition aligns with the company’s broader strategy to expand its presence and operations within the premium alcoholic beverage sector, according to the Zagreb-based firm.
Darko Knez, president of Badel 1862’s management board, remarked that as the leading Croatian producer of spirits and wines, acquiring Agrolaguna aligns perfectly with their development goals and adds momentum to fortifying local production. He emphasized the impressive achievements of Agrolaguna, acknowledging the excellence of its products and the dedication of its workforce, expressing optimism for the exciting potential this merger holds for both companies.
Already holding vineyards and premium wine brands both in Dalmatia and continental Croatia, Badel 1862 is poised to become the only company in Croatia with a comprehensive portfolio spanning all major wine regions, as highlighted by Fortenova. This deal enhances Badel’s market standing and opens new avenues for expanding its wine production. Post-acquisition, Badel is set to become the country’s foremost producer of wine grape varieties, covering 800 hectares of vineyards and scaling up production volumes from 2.5 million to 6.5 million liters.
Fortenova’s decision to divest Agrolaguna stems from a strategic shift towards focusing on retail and food processing, having severed ties with agricultural activities following the sale of its agriculture division to Podravka last July.
Reflecting on the deal, Fortenova’s CEO, Fabris Peruško, expressed confidence in Badel 1862’s capability to further Agrolaguna’s development, bolster its market positioning, and preserve jobs, given Badel’s industry expertise. He pointed out that Agrolaguna boasts a portfolio preserving Istrian heritage, adorned with global and local accolades, anticipating that this transaction will inspire the creation of new products that will shine a brighter spotlight on Croatian brands worldwide.
Despite Agrolaguna contributing less than 1% to Fortenova’s operating profits, this move is a strategic realignment for the group. Post this acquisition, Badel 1862, following its takeover of Vinopod Dalmacijavino—another Croatian wine venture in 2024—completed a capital increase at the Spirit in a Bottle distillery in Zagreb.
The initial report on Badel 1862’s acquisition of Agrolaguna and Vinarija Novigrad was published by Just Drinks, part of the GlobalData brand.
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