Urkabe Benetan and Ameztoi create a group to become a benchmark in the national pre-cooked food market.

– This alliance will diversify the product portfolio, develop the Horeca channel and boost the international market.Urkabe Benetan and Ameztoi create a group to become a benchmark in the national precooked food market.
– Urkabe Benetan, a benchmark in the production of frozen pre-cooked products and cooked ham under the Urkabe brand and located in Rentería (Gipuzkoa), consolidates its position in the sector with this union.
– Ameztoi, based in Zestoa (Gipuzkoa), has more than 30 years of experience and a consolidated presence in premium products in the Horeca channel, and will contribute its product development capacity to the group.
– The new group will have a turnover in excess of 40 million euros and will have 150 workers in its two production plants, making it a benchmark in the pre-cooked food sector.
– The transaction, in which Ameztoi joins Urkabe Benetan, is in line with the growth and diversification strategy established in Urkabe Benetan’s Strategic Plan, following the entry of Stellum Food&Tech in its capital in 2024.

San Sebastian, 26 May 2025 – Urkabe Benetan and Ameztoi, Basque companies operating in the ready meals sector in Spain, have created a group to become a benchmark in the domestic market, diversify their product portfolio, both in the retail and horeca channels, and boost their growth in the international market. These companies will have a combined turnover in excess of 40 million euros and will have a workforce of 150 professionals in their two production plants. With this union, the Ameztoi family will form part of Urkabe Benetan’s shareholding structure and will continue to lead the company’s activity.
Urkabe Benetan carries out its activity in the retail of frozen products under distributor brands and its own brand, with croquettes as its star product. It also produces and distributes cold meats and pre-cooked refrigerated products under the Urkabe brand, a family with which it is a reference in the Basque Country and Navarre.

In 2024, Stellum Food&Tech becomes a shareholder of Urkabe Benetan with the aim of accelerating its growth plan. This investment has facilitated the union with Ameztoi, reinforcing Urkabe Benetan’s expansion strategy and consolidating its position in the market. With this operation, a group is formed which is growing in different channels and which will expand its presence in new markets.

For its part, Ameztoi, with more than 30 years of experience, will bring to Urkabe Benetan its capacity for innovation and product development. With a presence in the national on-trade channel, Ameztoi has recorded strong growth in recent years thanks to commercial development in new geographies. Ameztoi’s cuisine is based on traditional recipes from mothers and its main premium products are croquettes, desserts, lasagne, stuffed peppers and salads, among others.

For Agustín del Canto and Enrique Rioja, general manager and president of Urkabe Benetan, respectively: ‘This alliance strengthens our position in the market and allows us to grow and face new challenges, always with our sights set on providing differential value to our clients and the people who make up our teams’.

Iñigo Ameztoi, Ameztoi’s general manager, considers that “Urkabe Benetan will know how to promote Ameztoi so that both companies can develop the joint growth plan, as well as expand their international presence, and continue to be a benchmark in terms of the quality of their products and their commitment to innovation and the development of new dishes. The main pillar to achieve these milestones will be the development of Ameztoi’s human team and its production plant”.

For David Martínez, director of Stellum Food&Tech, ‘this union means the creation of a business group that will lead the pre-cooked food sector in Spain, facing the challenges of the future with an expanded offer and a clear focus on innovation, product development and operational efficiency’.
Ameztoi has been advised by Albia Capital and BSK, while Urkabe Benetan has been advised by Rocío Cruces Torres. The financial, tax, legal, labour and ESG due diligences have been prepared by EY.