CP Foods to acquire 33% stake in Polish poultry group SuperDrob

Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) has agreed to acquire a 33% stake in Polish poultry producer SuperDrob for €49.5 million.

SuperDrob manufactures a variety of prepared chicken products – including stuffed chicken breasts, grilled and breaded stuffed chicken, stuffed chicken leg rolls, and chicken nuggets and pieces. It also produces a range of sausages and processed meats from poultry. It has six subsidiaries and employs over 2,000 people, with its main processing plants in Karczew and Łódź.

The acquisition will significantly boost CP Foods’ foothold in the European Union (EU), particularly as SuperDrob exports around half of its products to markets overseas such as the UK, France, Germany, other EU countries, and China.

It marks a significant effort by the Thai company to further its position in developed economies, after it paid more than $1 billion to acquire the American frozen foods business Bellisio. The deal for Bellisio, which predominantly deals in frozen entrées, snacks and sides, will help CP Foods to gain instant access to the US market, it said.

SuperDrob vice-president strategy Jarosław Kowalewski said: “The cooperation between SuperDrob and CP Foods is a great opportunity for our company. We can increase production capacities, thanks to which we will be able to offer new generation products in a wider market. We will extend the range of products and we will integrate production and logistic processes. We believe that as a result of these changes, our products will become attractive for a wider group of consumers. We also hope to actively participate in the consolidation of the meat and feed market in Poland.”

SuperDrob makes a range of poultry products including chicken nuggets, stuffed breasts and sausages

Adirek Sripratak, president and CEO of CP Foods, highlighted that the deal marks CP Foods’ first steps into the European poultry market.

“Poland is considered as a leading country in exporting poultry into the European market,” Sripratak said. “The country has vast resources and potential with low cost of production. This will also help respond better to the regional consumer base at a faster pace, as well as the opportunity to expand into other businesses that CP Foods has expertise in Poland, and connect with CP Food’s current network in Asia and Europe in order to create more value in the future.”