ORIOR completes acquisition of Italian pasta manufacturer Pastificio Gaetarelli
The move reinforces Orior’s strategic ambition to deepen its footprint in the premium fresh pasta segment across Europe.
ITALY – Swiss food group ORIOR Food AG has acquired full ownership of Italian fresh pasta manufacturer Pastificio Gaetarelli, completing a transaction on February 25, 2026, that elevates its initial 19% minority stake to 100% control.
The Zurich-based company purchased the remaining 81% shareholding for a price in the mid-single-digit millions of euros, strengthening its premium fresh pasta portfolio amid a broader strategic realignment to cut debt and focus on core growth areas.
Located in Salò on Lake Garda, Pastificio Gaetarelli, founded in 1964, employs around 30 staff and specializes in high-quality fresh pasta for retail and foodservice channels across Europe.
The firm will continue operating independently from its Italian base, preserving its traditional craftsmanship and local roots, while organizationally falling under Orior’s Pastinella business unit, which brings complementary innovation and pasta expertise from years of operational partnership.
This move is projected to add low single-digit millions in annual sales from third-party European customers, enhancing Orior’s competitive edge in the high-end segment where demand for authentic, premium products remains robust.
The acquisition aligns with Orior’s restructuring program launched last August, which prioritizes value-creating investments and reviews non-core assets, such as the Belgium-based Culinor Food Group, acquired in 2016.
By fully integrating Gaetarelli, Orior signals its commitment to targeted expansion in fresh pasta, a category buoyed by consumer shifts toward convenient, artisanal foods despite inflationary pressures in Europe.
Organizationally, the company will now function as a subsidiary of ORIOR Food AG, managed through the Group’s established Pastinella business unit.
This acquisition arrives at a critical juncture for ORIOR as it navigates a comprehensive restructuring program aimed at reducing debt and streamlining its portfolio.
While the Group is currently reviewing strategic options for its Belgium-based Culinor Food Group, including a potential sale, it remains focused on investing in high-margin niche markets.
As European food manufacturers navigate economic headwinds, Orior’s strategy underscores a focus on profitability through organic growth and selective M&A, potentially setting the stage for further consolidation in the fragmented fresh pasta market.
Gaetarelli’s addition not only diversifies Orior’s offerings but also reinforces its footprint in Italy, a global pasta powerhouse.
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