Antarctica Advisors acted as exclusive M&A advisor for Nueva Pescanova’s French Chilled Division Sale
Antarctica Advisors International, the leading Seafood Industry-focused M&A advisory firm, acted as the exclusive investment banking advisor to Nueva Pescanova (Vigo, Spain) in the sale of its French chilled division to Omarsa, a vertically integrated Ecuadorian producer and exporter of Vannamei Shrimp. Nueva Pescanova will retain its frozen division, which will continue to serve the French market through its subsidiary, Pescanova France.
Antarctica’s team of M&A professionals ran an organized and targeted sale process designed to identify a long-term strategic owner for the chilled division that would allow Nueva Pescanova to continue driving value creation in its core frozen business. Antarctica managed the process, from preparing the division for sale and identifying the right buyer, to structuring and negotiating the transaction through closing.
Headquartered in Vigo, Spain, Nueva Pescanova is a leading global seafood company specializing in the fishing, farming, processing, and marketing of fresh, chilled, and frozen seafood products. The company employs approximately 9,000 people, operates in 17 countries, and sells its products in more than 70 countries worldwide. The divestment forms part of the Group’s strategic asset review launched earlier this year to improve efficiency and drive value creation. In selecting a buyer, Nueva Pescanova prioritized a stable, long-term investor that would ensure continuity of the French chilled business.
Founded in 1977, Omarsa (Operadora y Procesadora de Productos Marinos Omarsa S.A.) is a family-owned, vertically integrated shrimp producer and one of Ecuador’s leading shrimp exporters, supplying more than 60 international markets. A pioneer in sustainable aquaculture, Omarsa became the world’s first shrimp farmer to achieve ASC certification in 2014. The acquisition marks Omarsa’s strategic entry into the French chilled shrimp market and advances its expansion across Europe.
Jorge Escudero, CEO of Nueva Pescanova, commented: “This transaction is another step forward in our value creation plan, as it allows us to focus on the strategic assets of Nueva Pescanova with the greatest growth potential, while contributing to the development of our frozen business in France.”
Birgir Brynjolfsson, Partner at Antarctica Advisors, commented: “We are honored to have assisted Nueva Pescanova through this strategic divestment in France, leveraging our experience and knowledge of the market. Through our process, Omarsa emerged as the optimal fit with the resource access to grow its presence in the European shrimp sector.”
About Antarctica Advisors INTL
Antarctica Advisors is the leading US-based, independent investment banking firm providing corporate clients in the global Seafood Industry with specialized M&A, strategic advisory, and capital raising services. The firm’s highly specialized Seafood Team is composed of professionals with significant knowledge across the Seafood Industry and a proven track record of successful transaction execution.
For further information on this transaction, contact:
Birgir Brynjolfsson, Antarctica Advisors INTL, bb@antarcticaintl.com
