What Importaco does

Importaco S.A. is a family-owned Spanish food and beverage company founded in 1940 in Valencia, specializing in the production and commercialization of nuts, dried fruits, snacks, seeds, chocolate-covered nuts, and natural mineral water. The company operates through three integrated divisions: Terra (sustainable and regenerative agriculture for almonds and peanuts, including a 680-hectare own peanut farming project in Argentina and a 300+ farmer collaborative program), Importaco Nuts (13 production centers manufacturing nuts, dried fruits, snacks, and seeds), and Importaco Waters (4 bottling plants producing 5 commercial mineral water brands from natural springs). It serves retail, food service/Horeca, and industrial ingredients markets across more than 30 countries, with production facilities in Spain, Poland, Turkey, and Italy, and a workforce of 2,500+ spanning 22 nationalities.

The company operates a vertically integrated value chain from farm to finished product, anchored by a Technology Centre with seven ISO 17025-accredited laboratories, a pilot plant, a semi-industrial plant, and 40+ science specialists, supported by €6 million+ annual R&D investment. Its proprietary 360° Quality Model applies multivariate analysis for predictive quality management across all production operations. Revenue is generated through B2B and B2C channels under a multi-brand portfolio including Hechos al Sol (since 1991), Casa Pons (since 1997), Besana (acquired 2020), Agua de Cortes, Agua de Bronchales, AguaDoy, and Font Teix. Importaco reported FY2025 revenue of €1.012 billion (12.7% growth) with profit after tax of €41.4 million (36.8% growth), positioning it as the leader in the Spanish nut market and the first mineral water group in Spain.

The business is controlled by the third generation of the Pons family, with Toño Pons Casañ serving as President (since 2018) and Alberto Gallardo as Managing Director (since September 2023). The company has pursued a consistent acquisition-led international expansion strategy, acquiring Domat (Poland, 2003), Aguas de Cortes (2005), Agua de Bronchales (2014), AguaDoy and Font Teix (2016), and Besana (Italy, 2020), supplemented by strategic alliances with Dcoop (Mediterranean almonds) and AgriSound (regenerative agriculture R&D). Sustainability credentials include CDP A-List 2024 recognition, ISO 50001 energy management certification across all Spanish centers, Zero Waste certification at the Beniparrell nuts factory, and 9,800 solar modules meeting 14% of energy needs.

Name

Importaco

Legal name

IMPORTACO, S.A.

Website

https://importaco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Importaco is a family-owned Spanish food company founded in 1940, specializing in nuts, dried fruits, snacks, seeds, and natural mineral water. It operates 13 production centers and 4 bottling plants across 30+ countries, serving retail, food service, and industrial ingredients markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Packaged Food and Beverages

NAICS

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (424)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Imported Foods Wholesale (AFAIAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ethnic & International Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAJ), Beverage Import/Export & Cross-Border Wholesale (AFAIAGAL)

Keywords

• Nuts and dried fruits
• Mineral water bottling
• Snack manufacturing
• Food ingredients supply
• Sustainable agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Beniparrell

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Nuts and Dried Fruits: Production and sale of nuts, dried fruits, snacks, seeds, and chocolate-covered nuts through 13 production centres. Operates in retail, food service, and industrial ingredients markets.
2. Product Sales - Mineral Water: Commercialization of mineral water from four springs with five commercial brands, operating 4 bottling plants. Serves retail and food service markets.
3. Technology and Innovation Services: Annual investment of more than six million euros in the Technology Centre focusing on food safety, quality, and innovation through open innovation projects with technology centres and start-ups.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Importaco is a family-owned Spanish food and beverage company that produces and sells nuts, dried fruits, snacks, seeds, and chocolate-covered nuts through 13 production centers, and natural mineral water through 4 bottling plants under five commercial brands. The company serves retail, food service, and industrial ingredients markets across more than 30 countries via its three divisions: Terra (sustainable agriculture), Importaco Nuts, and Importaco Waters.

Product overview

Importaco is a family-owned Spanish food and beverage company founded in 1940, specializing in nuts and natural mineral water. The company operates three main ecosystem divisions: Terra (sustainable agriculture), Importaco Nuts (processing of nuts, dried fruits, snacks, seeds, and chocolate-covered products across 13 production centers), and Importaco Waters (mineral water from 4 bottling plants with 5 commercial brands). The portfolio includes acquired brands such as Besana (Italian nuts and dried fruits), Casa Pons, and Hechos al Sol. A dedicated Technology Centre supports innovation with ISO 17025 accredited laboratories and pilot facilities, while the 360° Quality Model provides integrated quality management across all operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Terra: Agricultural division cultivating almonds and peanuts using sustainable and regenerative agriculture standards in Spain, Portugal, and Argentina.
• Importaco Nuts
• Importaco Waters
• Besana
• Hechos al Sol
• Casa Pons
• Aguadoy
• Agua de Cortes
• Agua de Bronchales
• Font Teix

Products and services

• Importaco Nuts Production and distribution of nuts, dried fruits, snacks, chocolate-covered nuts, and seeds across 13 production centres, serving food service, ingredients, and retail markets in more than 30 countries.
• Terra (Agricultural Division) Sustainable and regenerative agriculture division cultivating almonds and peanuts under farming standards that protect the environment, supplying raw materials to Importaco Nuts operations.
• Importaco Waters Natural mineral water business operating 4 bottling plants with five commercial brands (Agua de Cortes, Agua de Bronchales, AguaDoy, Font Teix, Aguadoy) sourcing water from natural springs across Spain and serving retail and food service markets.
• Hechos al Sol Consumer brand of nuts, dried fruits, and snacks created in 1991 for Spanish modern distribution and supermarket channels.
• Casa Pons Retail brand developed in 1997 for production and packaging of nuts in new formats for the retail sector.
• Besana Italian brand specialising in nuts and dried fruit products for the retail market, acquired in 2020 as part of Importaco's international expansion strategy.
• Agua de Cortes Mineral water brand sourced from the Cortes de Arenoso spring and bottled at the local bottling plant for retail and food service markets.
• Agua de Bronchales Mineral water brand bottled at the Bronchales bottling plant in Spain for retail distribution.
• AguaDoy

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue of €1.012 billion in 2025, up 12.7% from 2024
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AgriSoundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with UK agri-tech firm AgriSound for regenerative almond farming project. York-based AgriSound launched a major European field trial with Importaco to measure how regenerative farming affects pollination in almond cultivation.
• DcoopcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Strategic alliance between Importaco Nuts and Dcoop's almond division for commercialisation of Mediterranean almonds in distribution and Horeca channels.
• Novaterra FoundationminorOthersCollaboration with Novaterra Foundation and Acteco on the project 'Un viaje a la dignidad' (A trip towards dignity) for social impact.
• Universidad de ValenciaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneurship program 'Importaco – Universitat de Valencia' creating a learning space specialized in intrapreneurship, solidifying synergies from the Gennera Program.
• Chella Municipal ConservatoryminorOthersCollaboration agreement with Chella town council to promote sociocultural activities through the Maestro Ponce Conservatory, contributing €5,148.99.
• Trinidad Alfonso FoundationminorOthersCollaboration on social projects promoting sports and healthy eating habits.
• UNHCRminorOthersCollaboration with UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) for humanitarian support.
• San Vicente Ferrer FoundationminorOthersCollaboration on social projects through the foundation.
• Food BankminorOthersCollaboration on food waste reduction and redistribution of unconsumed food.
• APORTEMminorOthersCollaboration on social action projects.
• Fundacion LAB MediterráneominorOthersImportaco is a member of the Board of Foundation LAB Mediterráneo, promoted by the Valencian Entrepreneurs Association (AVE) to boost innovation and entrepreneurship.
• European Snacks Association (ESA)minorOthersMembership in ESA and featured as sustainability benchmark in ESA Sustainability Report 2025.
• International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC)minorOthersActive participation in INC World Congress and events, with Importaco Nuts strengthening global leadership at 2025 World Congress in Majorca.
• SAB-AlmendraveminorOthersImportaco executive Gaspar Alapont serves as First Vice President of Sab-Almendrave institution.
• ProalmendraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Proalmendra (nut farmers society in Region of Valencia) to eliminate presence of bitter almonds.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Olam Food Ingredients (ofi): Global B2B supplier of nuts, dried fruits, spices, and cocoa to food manufacturers and retailers. Comparable as a much larger incumbent in the same nut/dried fruit sourcing and distribution channel that Importaco serves on the industrial ingredients side.
• PepsiCo (Frito-Lay): Global snacks powerhouse with extensive nut-, seed-, and snack-based product portfolios via Frito-Lay. Comparable as an incumbent competing in the same snacking and healthy-snack aisles where Importaco distributes Hechos al Sol and Casa Pons.
• Danone Waters: World's largest bottled water operator (Evian, Volvic, Font Vella, Lanjarón) and a direct competitor to Importaco Waters in Spain and Europe. Highly comparable on the mineral water side of Importaco's business.

Direct peers

• Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds (The Wonderful Company): US-based vertically integrated grower and global marketer of pistachios and almonds with vertically owned orchards and branded retail packs. Directly comparable in nuts category scope, vertical farming model, and global B2B/B2C distribution.
• Blue Diamond Growers: US almond grower cooperative and global snack/ingredient supplier with branded retail and ingredient lines. Directly comparable: cooperative sourcing model mirrors Importaco's Terra farmer program, and almond focus overlaps with Importaco's Vall plant and Mediterranean almond positioning.
• John B. Sanfilippo & Son: US-based processor and marketer of nuts and dried fruits under branded and private-label lines serving retail, foodservice, and ingredient channels. Directly comparable product mix, channel structure, and B2B/private-label dynamics.
• Borges International Group: Spanish family-owned producer and global distributor of nuts, dried fruits, and Mediterranean food products. Most directly comparable peer: same Iberian origin, similar nuts/dried fruits product portfolio, multi-country B2B distribution model competing head-to-head for retail shelf space.
• Select Harvests: Australia's largest vertically integrated almond grower and marketer of nuts, snacks, and plant-based foods. Comparable as an almond-anchored, vertically integrated nuts business with branded retail and industrial ingredient exposure.

Others

• AgriSound: UK-based agri-tech startup focused on pollinator monitoring technology. Not a competitor but an explicit strategic partner to Importaco in regenerative almond farming, included to reflect the supply-chain innovation partnership disclosed in the data.

Regional players

• Vichy Catalan: Spanish mineral water brand owned by the Codorníu group, bottled in Catalonia and distributed across Spain and export markets. Directly competes with Importaco's Agua de Cortes, Bronchales, AguaDoy, and Font Teix in the Spanish mineral water shelf.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/importaco
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkknV-veM-0jM3Z1B549RMQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/importaco-sa
• Instagraminstagram.com/importaco_sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Importaco