Historic deal: Grupo Lusiaves acquires majority stake in Grupo Oblanca
On 3 October 2025, it was announced that Portuguese company Grupo Lusiaves has reached an agreement with León-based company Grupo Oblanca, whereby the Portuguese entity acquires a majority stake in the Spanish poultry group. This agreement, which came into effect on 1 October 2025, makes the resulting group one of the leading operators on the Iberian Peninsula in the broiler poultry sector.
Grupo Oblanca, with its head offices in León and dozens of integrated broiler farms, ranks among the 15 largest poultry producers in Spain. Although the value of the acquisition was not disclosed, the transaction was described as “much more than a majority stake: it is the union of two family companies that share values, entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to quality”, according to Avelino Gaspar, chairman and founder of Grupo Lusiaves.
A strategic move for the Iberian Peninsula market
The agreement reflects a forward-looking strategy that is advantageous for both companies. For OBLANCA, it provides the opportunity to continue expanding the presence and distribution of its own-produced meat products, while for the Portuguese integrator, the objective is to grow its business in the Spanish market, as part of LUSIAVES’ far more ambitious plan to expand across Europe and other continents.
This transaction represents a strategic step for GRUPO LUSIAVES, reinforcing its presence in the Iberian market and expanding its capacity to respond, both in poultry production in Spain and poultry production in Portugal, to the demands of customers and partners.
Second time lucky
Grupo Lusiaves, which is driving a vigorous growth process, had previously attempted to expand into Spain, including a failed bid in February 2025 to acquire Navarrese poultry giant Uvesa, a transaction that was ultimately completed by Ukrainian group MHP. Evidence that GRUPO LUSIAVES was already determined to make a strong entry into the Spanish market in 2025 is that when it launched its offer to pay €191 per share of Grupo Uvesa, it substantially outbid MHP’s initial offer of €150 per share and the second offer of €171 per share from Spanish company Grupo Fuertes. The majority acquisition of Oblanca now allows it to grow in the Spanish agri-food market, particularly in the poultry sector.
Family companies with shared history and values
The two companies that entered into the agreement, Oblanca and Lusiaves, share a number of common characteristics, as both are family businesses with a similar background. Both are primarily engaged in two key activities:
- They operate in the broiler poultry sector, covering the entire value chain.
- Both are foodservice distribution companies, with this representing one of their most important channels.
They also share relevant corporate values in their strategy. These include responsibility towards society, effective management of natural resources across all company processes, and a human resources policy strongly focused on employee training and advancement.
This union is seen as an opportunity to strengthen competencies and ensure continuity, while maintaining quality, innovation and customer service as top priorities.
The new Iberian poultry giant and the continuity of Oblanca
The agreement represents a long-term opportunity for both companies, giving rise to one of the largest poultry groups on the Iberian Peninsula. A key aspect of the agreement is the stability and continuity of Oblanca’s existing structure. Oblanca’s management team will continue in their current roles, as will the rest of the staff, thereby maintaining the organisational structure of the Spanish company.
Grupo Lusiaves believes that the accumulated expertise of the Spanish group provides a solid foundation to support its Iberian growth, and fits perfectly with its international expansion vision, thereby guaranteeing stability for employees, customers and suppliers.
Company backgrounds and scale
Grupo Oblanca (Spain):
Grupo Oblanca ranks among the 15 largest broiler integrators in Spain. Each link in the production chain is handled through a network of companies coordinated by Oblanca Holding. The group has been part of the León industrial landscape for nearly seven decades.
From the outset, with pullet rearing and incubation handled by Iberavi, through to the grow-out and processing phase managed by Hermanos Oblanca at its modern facilities in Onzonilla and Ponferrada (León), every step is integrated.
The marketing of poultry products is handled by Comercial Oblanca, which supplies retail multiples, wholesalers and the foodservice sector (HoReCa). This same company diversifies its activities with a powerful wholesale distribution line, moving more than 1,000 chilled and frozen food references via its own fleet across seven autonomous communities in northern and central Spain. Its strategic positioning includes a stake in Topgel, a key HoReCa distributor. To complete its portfolio, the group has Embutidos Garlaiz in San Andrés del Rabanedo, a company specialising in the production of cured chicken-based products. The group has been part of the León industrial landscape for nearly seven decades.
- Turnover and Headcount: The group has a turnover exceeding €120 million, placing it among the dozen companies with the highest business volume in the province. It currently employs more than 650 staff.
- Distribution: The company has production centres and distribution points, in addition to León, in Valladolid, Zamora, Ponferrada, Burgos, Salamanca, Ourense, Asturias and Madrid.
Grupo Lusiaves (Portugal):
Grupo Lusiaves is a Portuguese poultry giant founded in 1986, headquartered in Leiria. It is considered a national benchmark in the agri-food sector and is led by its founder Avelino Gaspar.
- Presence in Europe and Africa: Its business volume exceeds €450 million. It exports to more than 20 countries, has an international presence and employs more than 5,000 staff. Its distribution fleet comprises over 800 vehicles.
- Business model: Lusiaves bases its business model on vertical integration, controlling all phases of the production chain. It brings together around thirty industrial ventures and integrates more than 40 companies. Its areas of activity range from maize and feed production, hatching eggs, poultry production, agri-food processing and marketing, through to veterinary products, logistics and renewable energy.
- Specialisation: Like Oblanca, Lusiaves has a strong specialisation in broiler production and marketing.
For further information:
-. News on poultry companies at NeXusAvicultura.com
-. Official press release from GRUPO OBLANCA