Italian dairy group Valsoia has acquired a majority ownership in Kele & Kele, the producer of kefir under the Krepko brand, marking a strategic expansion into Eastern Europe’s growing fermented dairy market. The transaction underscores increasing consolidation within the region’s consumer staples sector.
- Valsoia S.p.A. (VALSOIA.MI) acquired a majority stake in Kele & Kele, a Romanian kefir producer under the Krepko brand.
- The acquisition, completed in December 2025, marks Valsoia’s strategic expansion into Eastern Europe’s fermented dairy market.
- Kele & Kele operates a production facility in Cluj-Napoca and serves retail and foodservice channels across Romania and neighboring countries.
- The kefir market in Romania has grown at an 8.4% CAGR since 2020, driven by health-conscious consumer trends.
- Valsoia plans to integrate Kele & Kele into its existing supply chain to boost efficiency and innovation.
- The transaction affects investor sentiment in regional food and beverage companies, including KREP.MI, whose parent retains a minority stake.
Valsoia S.p.A., a leading Italian dairy company listed on Borsa Italiana (VALSOIA.MI), has completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in Kele & Kele, the manufacturer of kefir products under the Krepko brand in Romania. The deal, finalized in December 2025, positions Valsoia to strengthen its footprint in Eastern Europe’s functional dairy segment, where demand for probiotic-rich fermented milk products has risen steadily over the past five years. The acquired entity, Kele & Kele, operates a production facility in Cluj-Napoca and serves retail and foodservice channels across Romania and neighboring markets. While the exact financial terms were not disclosed, the transaction reflects Valsoia’s broader strategy to expand its presence in high-growth niche dairy categories beyond traditional cheese and milk. The move follows a series of regional acquisitions by Valsoia, including its 2023 purchase of a Bulgarian yogurt producer, signaling a focused push into Central and Eastern Europe. Industry analysts note that the kefir market in Romania has grown at a compound annual rate of 8.4% since 2020, driven by rising health awareness and demand for natural, low-lactose alternatives. Valsoia’s investment in Kele & Kele is expected to accelerate product innovation, enhance distribution networks, and improve manufacturing efficiency through integration with Valsoia’s existing supply chain infrastructure. The acquisition impacts investors in the consumer staples and food & beverage sectors, particularly those tracking regional players such as KREP.MI (Krepko), whose parent entity remains partially retained. The transaction may also influence competitive dynamics among regional dairy producers, with potential ripple effects on pricing, R&D investment, and private-label development in Eastern European supermarkets.