Bertagni (fresh pasta) invests 40 million in a plant in Missouri

Sky-high transport costs and a weak dollar. But the US market remains strategic and Trentino pasta maker Bertagni 1882 has decided to serve the States by acquiring a plant in St. Charles, Missouri.

At the site, formerly General Mills, pizza bases and bakery products for foodservice were produced. It will now become Bertagni's first fresh filled pasta production plant in the United States, with 150 employees. The initial investment amounts to 40 million euros but the site (covering 10 thousand sq m) has the potential to triple production.

New chapter

In a statement from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Bertagni CEO Enrico Bolla, said that "the acquisition of the St Charles plant marks an exciting new chapter for Bertagni. It will enable us to expand into the filled meat specialities sector, strengthen the security of the supply chain and provide fresh products to distribution partners. We will be able to reach new customers in a market rich in opportunities".
Bertagni, controlled by the Spanish group Ebro Foods, produces fresh filled pasta at its Avio plant for delicatessens and international private-label brands. It says it operates in 16 countries and supplies 16 of the leading 20 food retailers.

Margins under pressure

Ebro Foods is one of the world's major pasta and rice companies. Its portfolio includes, in addition to the 100% of Bertagni, the 52% of the Gragnano pasta maker Garofalo, the 40% of Riso Scotti, the 100% of Mundi Riso (rice processing) and the 52% of Geovitas (pulses, cereals and rice). Internationally, it controls the French brand Lustucru and the Canadian brand Olivieri.

In the first half 2026, Ebro Foods generated revenue of 1,47 billion (-3,7%), EBITDA of 303 million (-4,7%) and profit of approximately 104 million (+7%). Growth in Europe and the United States continued, but margins in the US market were squeezed by higher container transport costs to the United States and the weak dollar, which fell from 1,08 to 1,17 against the euro.
Performance was also affected by Garofalo's implementation of the Sap Hana enterprise management system, as well as the anti-dumping duties imposed by the United States on dried pasta. Although they were reduced from 91,7% to 7%.

Pasta & Rice

Breaking down the figures, rice revenue amounted to 1,13 billion (-4,5%) with a margin of 14,8%; pasta revenue amounted to 347 million (-0,2%) with a margin of 12,6%.
In the pasta division, the dollar exchange rate eroded 4 million euros in profits. This was partly offset by cuts in advertising expenditure, which fell by 13,8% to 16,2 million.
Ebro Foods' total investments amounted to 61,1 million, with the most significant investments involving capacity expansions at the Garofalo plant and Ebrofrost in Germany.

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This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.