Riso: Euricom goes on a shopping spree in Germany and focuses on the growth of pulses

Euricom is consolidating its position as Europe’s leading producer and its leadership role in representing the industry at EU level. The international group (which is family-run, with a consolidated turnover of 850 million) operates in the rice, pulses and other cereal-based products sectors, and owns the Curtiriso and Flora brands in Italia, Sonko in Poland and Ebly (acquired this year) in France, has announced that it has entered into binding agreements for the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares in Müller’s Mühle from GoodMills Deutschland, part of the GoodMills Group, one of Europe’s leading milling groups, thereby consolidating its presence in Germany.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed but, as explained by Mario Francese – who has been Euricom’s executive vice-president since last June – the German company ‘is expected to close 2026 with a turnover of 70 million . A binding agreement is currently in place, subject to approval by the German competition authorities, and the deal is expected to be finalised by the end of the year’.

The deal, adds Francese, “represents an important step in line with our strategy to expand our product range, from dry rice to other pulses, which began with the acquisition of Sonko for snacks and continued this year with Ebly for ready-made products. We are now further expanding our range of pulses in view of the growth prospects for consumption driven by dietary considerations: the demand for plant-based proteins is rising and consumers will increasingly appreciate them. Furthermore – he continues – we are establishing a solid foothold in Europe’s most important market by acquiring a long-established company founded in 1893 (the brand was established in 1920), with a long tradition of shelf presence and familiarity for many consumers. Müller’s Mühle is a leading brand in the pulses sector, whilst in the rice sector it occupies a niche market. This year we are aiming for an overall increase in volumes, with turnover remaining broadly stable in value at around 850 million, despite a reduction in raw material prices.

Based in Gelsenkirchen, Müller’s Mühle (the brand dates back to 1920) has been supplying German consumers with cereals, rice and pulses for generations, including red lentils, beluga lentils and, amongst the cereals, basmati rice.
“The company offers us what we were missing in Germany,” emphasises the chairman and owner of Euricom, Bruno Sempio – “namely, an established team, a competitive site and a brand well known to generations of German consumers. It expands our range of pulses – a product in which we strongly believe – by adding a modern production facility for pulse-based ingredients, which will encourage our industrial customers to move towards increasingly plant-based formulations. We look forward to continuing the tradition of Müller’s Mühle and are grateful to the GoodMills Group for the trust they have placed in Euricom as the brand’s new owner.”