Nexture expands Middle East presence with La Crema acquisition
The acquisition will give Nexture its first manufacturing footprint in the Middle East and strengthen its access to the region’s growing ingredients market.
UAE – Nexture S.p.A. has signed an agreement to acquire Dubai-based La Crema, a manufacturer of chocolate and value-added food ingredients for the bakery, fine pastry and ice cream sectors.
The transaction will establish Nexture’s first manufacturing presence in the Middle East while broadening its portfolio of value-added solutions for the food and beverage industry.
Completion is expected by the end of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
La Crema was founded in Dubai by Bilal Khalife in 2016 and initially operated as a trading business serving the hotel, restaurant and catering (HoReCa) sector.
The company moved into manufacturing in 2018 and has since developed a portfolio covering chocolate sauces and cream fillings, chocolate bars, chips and buttons, assorted chocolates, ice cream solutions, ready-mix powders and fruit fillings.
The company markets these products under the La Crema brand and through private-label arrangements.
The company operates a manufacturing facility in Dubai and employs approximately 170 people across production, operations, sales and marketing.
Its established distribution network serves wholesalers, distributors and retailers, providing Nexture with a platform to supply customers across the Middle East and pursue additional regional opportunities.
For Nexture, the acquisition will add a broader range of chocolate-based ingredients to its existing portfolio of value-added solutions.
The company said the expanded offering will create opportunities across bakery, pastry and gelato applications, while allowing the group to leverage La Crema’s regional capabilities alongside its international manufacturing and commercial network.
After completion, Nexture’s industrial footprint is expected to grow to 30 factories worldwide, up from eight when the group began its expansion following the acquisition of CSM Ingredients in 2021.
The network will include 2 facilities in North America, 4 in Africa, 1 in the Middle East, 1 in Asia and 22 across 8 European countries. The group’s workforce is also expected to exceed 2,900 employees.
The deal follows Nexture’s acquisitions of Frulact and Sipral Padana, respectively, as part of its broader buy-and-build strategy.
Since acquiring CSM Ingredients in 2021, when it generated €517 million (US$590.13M) in sales, Nexture has expanded significantly and estimates annual revenues of approximately €1.2 billion (US$1.37B) on a pro-forma basis including La Crema.
Nexture CEO Valerie-Diele Braun said the transaction would provide direct access to a rapidly developing ingredients market while strengthening the group’s chocolate offering.
La Crema founder Bilal Khalife will work with Nexture during the company’s next phase of growth as the group seeks to build its presence across the region.
By replacing import-dependent supply channels with localized manufacturing in the UAE, Nexture aims to shorten lead times, reduce supply chain friction, and serve regional commercial clients more agilely.
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