The Casalasco Group, a leading Italian consortium specializing in tomato products, has acquired the German pasta sauce range “Knorr – Tomato al Gusto” from Unilever. The deal, which transfers a product line launched by Unilever in the 1990s, was signed recently in Hamburg and will take effect on March 1.
The acquisition enhances Casalasco’s extensive portfolio, including the Pomì, Pomito, and De Rica brands. Supported by an integrated supply chain of 800 farms, five production facilities, and 70 packaging lines, the group strengthens its foothold in Germany, a market it already serves with its Pomito brand.
“Tomato al Gusto” has been a staple on German shelves for over two decades, marketed as a premium range under the Knorr label. The line features various recipes, including plant-based options and a Carbonara variant, packaged in 370- and 500-gram cartons.
For a transitional period of one year, Casalasco will retain the right to use the Knorr brand—still owned by Unilever—exclusively for this product line.
Previously packaged by Casalasco on behalf of Unilever, the “Tomato al Gusto” range now joins the group’s 2,300-product portfolio, distributed across more than 60 countries. With exports accounting for over 70% of sales, the company reported consolidated revenues of €630 million in 2023.
“With this acquisition,” said Casalasco’s CEO Costantino Vaia, “we aim to consolidate our presence in Germany, one of Europe’s key food markets, while giving a distinctly Italian identity to our globally distributed brands. The addition of ‘Tomato al Gusto’ aligns with our ongoing internationalization strategy and strengthens our position in the European shelf-stable tomato segment.”
Casalasco will partner with Hengstenberg GmbH & Co, its long-standing commercial collaborator based in Esslingen, to distribute the range in Germany. The partnership already supports the group’s market penetration with the Pomito brand.