US-based company Ardent Mills will enhance its speciality grain capabilities by acquiring the quinoa operations of Andean Naturals in Yuba City, California.

The company also intends to make investments in its business unit ‘the Annex’, which cultivates speciality grains and plant-based ingredients. Its portfolio includes sprouted wheat, chickpeas, organic grains and flours.

Ardent Mills CEO Dan Dye said: “Our industry is rapidly changing as consumers’ appetite for variety in their diets continues to increase.

“As a result, we are making proactive investments in The Annex to meet consumer demand for high-quality, nutritious grains and other sources of plant-based ingredients. With this acquisition, we will be able to offer a complete solution for quinoa and other gluten-free ingredients.”

Neither company has divulged any financial details. They expect to finalise the deal later this month.

Upon completion, the Yuba City facility will be Ardent Mills’ first gluten-free sourcing and cleaning facility. It also has the scope to include additional grains.

The acquisition of Andean Naturals’ operations comes shortly after the acquisition of an organic grain elevator in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Additionally, Andean Naturals founder and president Sergio Nunez de Arco will join Ardent Mills.

Nunez de Arco said: “For Andean Naturals, this mutually beneficial acquisition is the natural progression of our mission to share quinoa with the world.

“While we’ve built expertise in quinoa sourcing and connections to South American farmers, Ardent Mills brings milling and technical expertise, access to markets and the ability to scale quickly with a sustainable approach.”

In June, Dawn Food Products completed the acquisition North American flour supplier Ardent Mills.

Dawn Foods acquired Ardent Mills’ mix facility in Burlington, Ontario, as well as its sweet goods business in Canada.