Caro Import
Caro Import is a Spanish B2B food manufacturer and Argentine food importer/distributor operating three production plants in Barcelona, serving supermarkets, HORECA, and industrial customers across 30+ countries through 4,000+ retail points.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersLa Garriga, Spain
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Caro Import does
Caro Import is a Spanish B2B food company founded in 1991 by brothers José and Alejandro Caro in La Garriga, Barcelona. It operates a dual business model: (1) contract manufacturing of its own brands — Márdel (dulce de leche, alfajores) and Doña Petrona (frozen empanada tapas) — across three production plants at the same site, and (2) importation and distribution of more than 20 Argentine brands spanning yerba mate, sweets, wines, and condiments. The wine division operates under the Caro Import Vinos banner and has been actively expanding its product range.
The company serves three customer segments: large supermarket chains (Alcampo, Aldi, Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, Lidl, Eroski, Dia, Makro, Costco, Sainsbury's), HORECA (foodservice and hospitality), and industrial customers. Distribution reaches over 30 countries through 4,000+ retail points and 800+ active B2B clients. The company employs 120+ people and was recognized in the CEPYME500 ranking of Spain's fastest-growing SMEs in 2024.
Revenue mechanics blend own-brand manufacturing margins with import-distribution margins on third-party Argentine brands. The company is privately held and does not disclose revenue. Production capacity has been expanding — empanada output grew 13.22% in 2023 and 15% in 2024, with a new dedicated factory commissioned in 2024 and management targeting approximately 50% volume growth in 2025. Pricing and contractual terms are not disclosed but appear to follow standard B2B food industry structures (long-term retail listings, HORECA catalog pricing, and industrial supply agreements).
Caro Import firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Caro Import
- Legal name
- CARO IMPORT, S.L.
- Website
- https://caroimport.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Caro Import is a Spanish B2B food manufacturer and Argentine food importer/distributor operating three production plants in Barcelona, serving supermarkets, HORECA, and industrial customers across 30+ countries through 4,000+ retail points.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Caro Import industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Argentine Food Manufacturing & Import Distribution
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311), Cookie, Cracker, and Pasta Manufacturing (31182), Other Food Manufacturing (3119)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000), Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International & Ethnic Packaged Foods (CRADAAAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- International Specialty Ingredients & Import Markets (CRAHAFAL), Ethnic/International Bulk & Wholesale Grocers (CRAHAMAE)
Keywords
Where Caro Import is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- La Garriga
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Caro Import business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales - Manufacturing: Manufactures and sells own brand products including dulce de leche, alfajores Márdel, and empanada tapas Doña Petrona from own production plants
- Product Sales - Import & Distribution: Imports and distributes Argentine products including yerba mate, biscuits, sweets, wines, condiments from over 20 Argentine brands
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Caro Import product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Caro Import manufactures and sells Argentine food products in its own plants in La Garriga, Barcelona—including dulce de leche and alfajores under the Márdel brand and empanada tapas under the Doña Petrona brand—and imports and distributes more than 20 Argentine brands (yerba mate, sweets, confectionery, wines, condiments) to supermarkets, hypermarkets, specialised shops, the HORECA channel and food industries across more than 30 countries.
Product overview
Caro Import is a B2B food company specializing in the manufacture, import, and distribution of Argentine food products. The company operates two distinct business models: (1) Own manufacturing of dulce de leche, alfajores under the Márdel brand, and empanada tapas under the Doña Petrona brand, produced in their three plants in La Garriga, Barcelona; and (2) Import and distribution of over 20 Argentine brands including yerba mate (Playadito, Canarias, Rosamonte, LaCumbrecita, Andresito), mate accessories, confectionery (Arcor, Bagley, Granix), condiments (Celusal, Yuspe), and wines from Argentine wineries (Bodega RPB, La Liga de Enólogos, Bodegas Etchart, Navarro Correas, Finca Flichman, Bodegas López, Mosquita Muerta). Additional own brands include Andino, Conaprole, and Tu Arequipe. The company also presented new wine references at the 38th Salón Gourmets including various Finca Flichman and Bodegas Etchart selections.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Márdel: Brand of dulce de leche and alfajores produced in the company's own factory, guaranteeing authentic taste and exceptional quality.
- Doña Petrona
- Caro Import Vinos
- Andino
- Conaprole
- Tu arequipe
Products and services
- Márdel Dulce de Leche and Alfajores
Quantifiable outcome
- 13.22% production increase in 2023 vs 2022 for empanada tapas
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Caro Import
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Caro Import technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration18 records
Caro Import partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Caro Import competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Arcor Group: Argentine multinational confectionery and food company with global footprint; both a supplier whose brands Caro Import distributes and a broad incumbent comparable for category leadership and international expansion capability in packaged Argentine foods.
- Bodega Trapiche: Major Argentine winery with international distribution across 80+ countries. Comparable to Caro Import's wine portfolio (Navarro Correas, Finca Flichman, Bodegas Etchart, etc.) for global commercialization of Argentine Malbec/Torrontés wines.
- Ebro Foods: Spanish-headquartered global packaged food manufacturer (rice, pasta, sauces) with extensive international distribution. Comparable as a Spain-based food group combining own-brand manufacturing with global B2B retail distribution.
- Bodega Norton: Premium Argentine winery with established presence in European retail and on-premise channels. Comparable on wine portfolio, export reach, and positioning in the European premium Argentine wine category.
Direct peers
- Bonafide: Iconic Argentine coffee, alfajor and confectionery brand with established international footprint (cafes and retail). Comparable in taking Argentine packaged food categories global and in combining own-brand manufacturing with branded retail presence.
- FUD (Grupo Gloria): Latin American dulce de leche and dairy brand owned by Peruvian multinational Grupo Gloria, with distribution across the Americas and Europe. Comparable in bringing Latin dairy/manufactured brands to international retail and in competing for similar European shelf space.
- Tía Maruca: Argentine alfajor manufacturer specializing in premium and traditional varieties, with growing export channels. Comparable as a focused Argentine confectionery exporter competing for similar specialty retail shelf space.
- Havanna Group: Argentine alfajor and dulce de leche manufacturer with international retail presence across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Closest direct comparable given overlap in dulce de leche, alfajor production and global B2B distribution model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Caro Import social profiles
Digital presenceCaro Import financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Caro Import leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Caro Import funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Caro Import M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Caro Import
What does Caro Import do?
Caro Import manufactures and sells Argentine food products in its own plants in La Garriga, Barcelona—including dulce de leche and alfajores under the Márdel brand and empanada tapas under the Doña Petrona brand—and imports and distributes more than 20 Argentine brands (yerba mate, sweets, confectionery, wines, condiments) to supermarkets, hypermarkets, specialised shops, the HORECA channel and food industries across more than 30 countries.
Is Caro Import a public or private company?
Caro Import is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Caro Import founded?
Caro Import was founded in 1991. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Caro Import based?
Caro Import is headquartered in La Garriga, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Caro Import make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are product Sales - Import & Distribution.
Who are Caro Import's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Arcor Group, Bodega Trapiche, Ebro Foods and Bodega Norton. Direct peers are Bonafide, FUD (Grupo Gloria), Tía Maruca and Havanna Group.
Does Caro Import have an API?
No public API is recorded for Caro Import.
What industry is Caro Import in?
Caro Import's product category is Specialty Argentine Food Manufacturing & Import Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAAAG, International & Ethnic Packaged Foods, with a secondary code of CRAHAFAL, International Specialty Ingredients & Import Markets. Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2000.