Data and numbers never lie, and the aforementioned cold and cynical analysis of Euromonitor undoubtedly leads to some reflection. Taking a look at the graph, it stands out that F&B will be the only sector growing this year, registering a +2%.  Obviously, these socio-economic changes will have an impact, even at a financial level. It’s no secret that the generalist PE funds, as VCs, are watching with an increasingly greater interest in deals in food and foodtech. 

Are we watching the rise of the next financial revolution? To reply to these questions, we gathered some experts of the sector as witnesses.

MADE IN ITALY ABOVE ALL

538 billion in revenue in 2019 (the 25% of Italian GDP), 3,8 millions people employed and the absolute leadership on italian industrial landscape. Combining these numbers with Euromonitor report data, it’s clear that italian agrifood aroused the interest of the PE behemoths, even at an international level.

But there’s more, as explained by  Massimiliano Bruno (Max) , Principal at international advisory firm goetzpartners “The rise of Slow Food drove the Italian food & beverage to be considered not just as a simple set of products but as a true food experience, improving its appeal beyond Italy’s border.”

Italian food has definitely been acquiring a “premium” dimension, whetting the appetite not just of consumers, but even of investors  “Expanding a brand abroad needs, first of all, to adapt the products to local tastes, then obviously a skilled management and an effective strategy, with a development plan including insights driven by market research in order to scale up the business. All that might sound familiar for a big corporation, maybe a little less for Italian SMEs. And that’s where the funds come into play”.

In this kind of transition, as confirmed by Max, an important role has been played by historical Italian brands who first paved the way and, more recently, by companies such as Eataly and its visionary founder Oscar Farinetti, that, by leveraging on their international distribution platforms which is otherwise not accessible to small brands, further gave its contribution in fighting  the Italian sounding food, valued at 100 billion euros as per Coldiretti estimates.

But what do PE funds look for? Which features must food companies have to be attractive to the international finance behemoths?  “Definitively I would say brand history, storytelling, quality, traceability, international certifications, but also a willingness or the potential to produce private label, which is constantly increasing its penetration in the mass retail channel. Regarding the sectors, the actual focus is on the bakery, both fresh and frozen, healthy and vegan. Furthermore, on the VC side, there’s a growing interest in innovative products and business models such as alternative proteins and dark kitchens”.

Max makes an interesting reflection on the megatrends. “ For an effective expansion strategy, Italian products should not be associated exclusively with Made In Italy, which is still recognised as a high-value brand, but should also consider riding the waves of mega-trends such as vegan, healthy, and flexitarian”.

Switching to funds, what are the motivations driving them to invest in the food sector?   “We recently interviewed some generalist PE funds investing in mid-market and all of them substantially confirmed they are watching food with increasing interest because it’s an extremely resilient sector with little trouble during these times, except for businesses largely involved in foodservice which were highly impacted by COVID-19””.

This increased competition among funds is even driving a rise in deal values:  “Actually on a deal, we might even have 4 or 5 funds and that drive to increase the EBITDA multiple from x7 to x8 to x10 or even x12 for the deals in beverages or historical companies/brands. The average for Italian food nowadays is around x10”.

So in the future, we will see an increase in PE deals in the sector, lots of add-ons and a slowdown in foodservice. But there’s more.  “There is a growing interest for foodtech, not exclusively by VCs but even by PE, as technology could be an incredible boost to the business”. Definitively, a Made In Italy is adapting to the new needs of modern consumers,  as already done for example by Nestlè.

THE REVERSE OF THE MEDAL

But not all that glitters is gold and COVID-19 has obviously brought some troubles to Italian food companies, especially the little ones, as explained by Livio Cademartori.

Livio Cadermartori began his professional career within his family's business in the dairy sector, Cademartori, sold to Le Groupe Bel in 1999, then to fund BC Partners and actually in Lactalits portfolio. He is actually food industry advisor by Translink Corporate Finance.

“The lockdown - says Livio - found lots of small agrifood companies unprepared. They experienced a rise in costs and a drop in revenues, with an obvious impact on EBITDA. This might drive the companies to increase their debt or sell equity stake, but obviously in unfavourable conditions”.

So due to COVID-19, Italy could become up for grabs by PE and even big food corporations. “Considering the drop in EBITDA and meanwhile the lack of industrial centres in some sectors, such as dairy and confectionery, some Italian agrifood companies are highly exposed to a kind of “wild shopping” by funds and food behemoths”.

Regarding the lack of management and international exposure discussed with Max, Livio gives his interesting reading of this: “An Italian premium brand, even without skilled management, is still attractive abroad. The lack of management could undoubtedly represent a challenge for the fund but meanwhile put a lid on the negotiations, as it could need a lot of work. An Italian food SME could be interested in starting the internationalization process by itself, to be more appetising for a future buyer”.

Finally, Livio agrees that modifying the formula to adapt the product to local taste is needed “but it’s not possible of course for products such as cheeses and PDO/PGI, because they are subject to Italian laws and/or production regulations”.

FOODTECH RULES

Talking about the investments in AgrifoodTech, during the first webinar of my series “AgriFoodTech in Italia”, Giancarlo Addario, Principal at Five Seasons Ventures, said “Even before Covid the generalist venture capitalists took a remarkable interest in foodtech.” 

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