Wezep-Íscar, 28 January 2025 – Plukon Food Group B.V. (Plukon) has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of Grupo Avícola Hidalgo, a leading company in the Spanish poultry industry, with production facilities in the provinces of Madrid, Valladolid and Toledo.
This becomes the fourth strategic acquisition by PLUKON FOOD in Spain since 2020. In 2020, it acquired Grupo VMR, consolidating its integrated production and distribution structure in Madrid and adding Spain as its sixth local European market. In 2024, it acquired Avícola Redondo, a high-quality family business in fresh chicken, reinforcing its strategic coverage and generating synergies with its operations. That same year, it incorporated Sambau, a specialist distributor in the traditional Madrid market, strengthening its leadership in the region. These three previous acquisitions (see the news on Plukon’s previous acquisitions at NeXusAvicultura.com ) have enabled Plukon to expand its network, optimise processes and enhance its competitiveness in Spain.
Plukon will thus move into fourth position in Spain in terms of slaughter volume, with a total of 110,383 tonnes of chicken meat (a figure resulting from combining the 77,000 tonnes of chicken slaughtered by Plukon Food España in 2023 and the 33,383 tonnes slaughtered by Grupo Avícola Hidalgo in the same year).
In Spain, by slaughter volume, the largest chicken producer is GRUPO VALL COMPANYS, the second is the Navarrese company UVESA, currently with two prospective buyers, the Ukrainian company MHP (offer of €200M) and the Murcian company GRUPO FUERTES (offer of €300M), and third is Grupo Aviserrano, the latter with 136,380 tonnes of chicken meat slaughtered in 2023. The Dutch group would thus move ahead of companies such as COREN, PADESA, INCUSUR, GUISSONA, etc.
Grupo Avícola Hidalgo is a family-owned business with over 60 years of experience in the poultry sector in Spain. From its beginnings as a local distributor in the “Sierra Norte de Madrid”, the Group has focused on product and service quality and has grown organically to become one of the leading poultry companies in the Spanish market, fully integrated from incubation through to product sales across all channels, with particular strength in modern retail distribution. Grupo Avícola Hidalgo employs more than 400 people and generated revenues of slightly over 100 million euros in 2024.
Grupo Avícola Hidalgo specialises in high-quality fresh and value-added poultry products. The company supplies a diversified customer base, including retail, B2B and HORECA businesses in Spain. With its production facilities strategically located close to key customers and suppliers, Grupo Avícola Hidalgo ensures efficient logistics and a consistent supply of the highest quality fresh products.
For Kees Kraijenoord, CEO of Plukon Food Group: “We are proud to welcome Grupo Avícola Hidalgo to the Plukon family. Grupo Avícola Hidalgo and VMR España (a member of Plukon Food Group since 2020) have a history of cooperation through their former joint venture (today 100% owned by Grupo Avícola Hidalgo) Iberoelaborados, focused on the production of value-added convenience products. This acquisition strengthens our position in Spain and aligns with our strategy of becoming a leading player in the European poultry market. Hidalgo’s strong reputation, integrated operations and premium products will help us accelerate growth and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”
For Gregorio and Pelayo Hidalgo, Co-CEOs of Grupo Avícola Hidalgo: “We are confident that joining Plukon Food Group marks an exciting new chapter for Grupo Avícola Hidalgo. Plukon shares our commitment to quality and innovation, and we are proud to entrust the future of our company to such a strong and experienced partner. Together, we look forward to building on the Hidalgo legacy and driving further growth and success for our employees, customers and stakeholders.” The management team of Grupo Avícola Hidalgo, including some members of the Hidalgo family, will continue to work alongside Plukon following the closing of the transaction.
Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities.
About Plukon
Plukon Food Group is an innovative player in the European food sector, supplying poultry products, meals and salads, meal components and alternative proteins to leading food industry partners across Europe. It currently operates 38 processing plants across seven countries and employs approximately 11,000 people. The Plukon Group seeks to play a leading role in translating the needs of customers worldwide into innovative products, formats and rearing solutions. Plukon produces healthy and varied food for millions of people across Europe, at affordable prices, easily accessible and simple to prepare. Its motto is: “Think fresh. Act fresh. Make it fresh.” which is why they need farms and slaughterhouses wherever their customers are located, as demonstrated by these three significant acquisitions that add to the considerable number of poultry investments in Spain that have taken place recently.
Facts and Figures
The company currently operates 38 facilities across Europe, including 10 in the Netherlands, 7 in Germany, 3 in Belgium, 2 in Poland, 6 in France, 8 in Spain and 2 in Denmark. Its headquarters are located in Wezep, in the Netherlands. In 2023 it achieved a turnover of approximately €3.1 billion.
For further information:
-. PLUKON FOOD GROUP
-. Grupo Avícola Hidalgo SL
-. News about poultry companies at NeXusAvicultura.com