Orkla has signed an agreement to purchase Agrimex, a leading frozen vegetable producer in the Czech Republic, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hamé.

Hamé is a leading branded food company in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and holds strong positions in the liver paté, ready meals, ketchup, jam, baby food and tinned vegetable categories. Through the acquisition of Agrimex Hamé has strengthened its position in the frozen vegetable category.

“Agrimex and Hamé are a good fit. We are a market leader in several categories in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and by purchasing Agrimex we will also acquire a solid foothold in frozen vegetables. Furthermore, we are strengthening our position in the out-of-home sector since more than one-fourth of Agrimex’s sales are made through this channel,” says Atle Vidar Nagel Johansen, Orkla EVP and CEO of Orkla Foods.

Agrimex has a modern, automated production plant in Panenské Brežany, north of Prague. Raw materials are supplied by local Czech farmers in the factory’s vicinity. The products are sold under the Dione, Dione Premium and Agrimex Foodservice brands.

Agrimex is a privately owned company established in 1995 and has 32 employees. The company will be consolidated into Orkla’s financial statements as from December 1, 2017.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.