Ferrero Group Expands into South American Protein Snack Market with Acquisition of Bold Snacks
The Ferrero Group, a global leader in sweet-packaged foods, has announced the acquisition of Bold Snacks, a Brazilian premium protein snack company. This marks Ferrero’s first venture into the “better-for-you” segment in South America, expanding its portfolio beyond traditional confectionery.
Founded in 2018, Bold Snacks has experienced rapid growth through a digital-first strategy, focusing on protein bars and recently expanding into whey protein powders. The company’s success has been driven by its innovative product portfolio and strong online presence.
Acquisition Details and Integration
As part of the agreement, Ferrero will assume control of Bold Snacks’ office and manufacturing facility located in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Approximately 300 employees from Bold Snacks are expected to join Ferrero Brazil as the integration process unfolds. Ferrero Group announced the agreement on March 18, 2026.
This acquisition complements Ferrero’s existing “better-for-you” brands, including Eat Natural and FULFIL in Europe, and Power Crunch in North America. In Brazil, Ferrero, along with its affiliated company Dori Alimentos (owned by Ferrara), currently employs around 4,500 people across five plants and three offices.
Executive Perspectives
Daniel Martinez Carretero, Chief Financial Officer of Ferrero Group, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We’re thrilled to welcome Bold Snacks to Ferrero, marking our first foray into the better-for-you segment in South America. Bold Snacks is a distinctive brand with strong momentum in Brazil, and this transaction further strengthens our presence in the category while supporting the continued development of our portfolio across key geographies.” PRNewswire reported this quote.
Gabriel Ferreira, Founder and CEO of Bold Snacks, added, “Becoming part of Ferrero is an amazing opportunity for our business and our people. Being recognized by a global food leader with a strong track record of building and nurturing iconic brands provides a unique opportunity to accelerate our growth and help bring Bold Snacks to more consumers than ever before.”
The transaction is anticipated to be finalized in the coming months, contingent upon the fulfillment of standard closing conditions.
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