Ferrero agrees deal for Brazilian protein snacking company Bold Snacks

By Alexander Marrow

LONDON, March 18 (Reuters) - The owner of Ferrero Rocher on Wednesday said it had agreed to acquire Brazilian protein snacking company Bold Snacks for an undisclosed sum, in a deal that gives the Italian group greater exposure to the growing number of consumers looking for high-protein foods.

Packaged food companies including Kraft Heinz KHC.O, Danone DANO.PA and PepsiCo PEP.O have launched high-protein versions of their foods to respond to a change in dietary preferences toward healthier foods, accelerated by the U.S. administration's "Make America Healthy Again" campaign as well as fast adoption of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

• Ferrero Group CFO Daniel Martinez Carretero said the deal would mark Ferrero's first foray into the "better-for-you" segment in South America.

• "This acquisition is fully aligned with our long-term strategy to diversify our portfolio and strengthen our presence in fast-growing product categories that respond to evolving consumer preferences, thus reflecting our ongoing commitment to offering a broader range of products across different segments," Ferrero told Reuters.

• Bold Snacks would remain focused on its core market in Brazil, Ferrero said, adding that new geographies may be explored in the future.

• As part of the transaction, Ferrero said it would take over Bold Snacks' office and factory in the Minas Gerais region, with approximately 300 employees expected to join Ferrero Brazil.

• In Brazil, Ferrero and its affiliated company Dori Alimentos, owned by Ferrara, currently employ 4,500 people across five plants and three offices, the company said.

• The proposed transaction is expected to close in the coming months, Ferrero said.