Geia Food enters UK market with acquisition of Lupa Foods 

UK – Denmark-based Geia Food, a leading Nordic food group, has expanded its operations into the UK with the acquisition of Lupa Foods, a renowned importer of Mediterranean foods.  

While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the acquisition marks a significant step in Geia Food’s strategy to broaden its presence beyond the Nordic region. 

Geia Food highlighted the importance of the acquisition in a statement, describing it as “a pivotal step” in its growth ambitions.  

“This partnership establishes a robust foothold in the UK, one of Europe’s largest markets, and fuels an exciting journey with great opportunities,” the company added. 

Lupa Foods, originally founded in 1902 as Donatantonio, began as a delicatessen in Clerkenwell, London.  

Over the decades, it has grown into a significant B2B supplier, providing high-quality Italian products, including pasta, tomatoes, and olive oil, to manufacturers across the UK.  

In 2018, the company rebranded to Lupa Foods following its acquisition of Compleat Food Network. 

The UK market is one of Europe’s largest for Mediterranean and specialty foods, and the acquisition positions Geia Food to leverage Lupa’s established network and reputation. 

Lupa Foods currently generates an annual turnover of £45 million (US$55.2 million) and employs 35 staff members. 

Under the new structure, Lupa Foods will retain its existing leadership team, led by CEO Manish Mandavia, to ensure business continuity and operational stability.  

Mandavia said, “This acquisition marks a significant step in our efforts to strengthen our market position through geographic expansion. Joining Geia Food presents a remarkable opportunity to scale our operations and enhance our value proposition by accessing their extensive sourcing capabilities and global network.” 

Geia Food’s CEO, Claus Ravnsbo, noted, “By combining our sourcing capabilities and supplier portfolio with Lupa’s local market expertise, we see vast opportunities to grow the business further and deliver even more value to customers.” 

Geia Food, which is majority-owned by European private equity firm Triton Partners, has a well-established presence across Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark. 

The company produces a wide range of private-label and branded products, from seafood and meat to dairy, ice cream, fruits, vegetables, and beverages. 

In March 2023, Geia Food demonstrated its commitment to growth by acquiring Finnish food supplier Topfoods.  

The group reported a record revenue of 3.007 billion DKK (US$441.3 million) in 2023, reflecting nearly 10% growth year-on-year, and achieved a net profit of 51.7 million DKK (US$7.1M). 

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