In a significant move poised to reshape the coffee industry landscape in Southeast Europe, Atlantic Grupa has announced the completion of its acquisition of Strauss Adriatic on 1st March. The deal brings under its wing the esteemed Serbian coffee brands Doncafe and C kafa, joining forces with the regional coffee leaders Grand kafa and Barcaffè within its expansive portfolio.
The acquisition includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Šimanovci industrial zone near Belgrade, along with 220 employees. This strategic move has received conditional approval from the Serbian Commission for the Protection of Competition, marking a significant milestone in Atlantic Grupa’s growth trajectory.
Mate Štetić, Vice President of Coffee and Sweet and Savoury Snacks at Atlantic Grupa, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition: “This acquisition reaffirms our strategic commitment to strengthening our core business, of which coffee is a substantial part. We believe this transaction will be met with satisfaction across the board – from our business entities, management teams of both companies, employees, to the market and consumers. As the market leader across our region, we have always been mindful of our responsibility to develop the coffee category in Southeast Europe, and we continue to work in this direction.”
The acquisition is seen as a win-win for both entities. Siniša Daničić, General Director of Strauss Adriatic, commented on the merger’s potential: “We are delighted to have found a strategic partner dedicated to equally nurturing our existing business in Serbia, from our strong brands to our workforce and the coffee category itself. We are proud of the achievements we have made so far and are confident that Atlantic Grupa will continue to successfully develop the integrated coffee business in the Serbian market.”
Atlantic Grupa has expressed its intention to significantly invest in the coffee business, focusing on production, technology development, brand enhancement, product portfolio, and communication, both in retail and the HoReCa (Hotel/Restaurant/Café) segment.
The company’s approach to growth through the development of key production categories (coffee, chocolate, sweet and savoury snacks, delicatessen spreads, and non-alcoholic beverages) by organic means and the acquisition of strong brands is fundamental to its strategy.
This latest acquisition marks an important step in the realization of Atlantic Grupa’s strategy, contributing to the growth of the coffee category in Serbia and the region, as well as enhancing the competitiveness of the regional coffee industry and local brands.
