Vevey, Switzerland – Nestle S.A. has taken a majority stake in Terrafertil, Tabacundo, Ecuador, a manufacturer of organic and natural plant-based snacks and food products. Terms of the transaction were not announced.

The transaction includes all of Terrafertil’s operations and assets in the seven countries where it operates.

“This investment allows us to strengthen our presence in fast-growing categories such as plant-based foods, beverages and healthy snacks, known as ‘superfoods’ due to their high natural nutrient content,” said Laurent Freixe, chief executive officer of Nestle Zone Americas. “Terrafertil will continue to be managed by its founders. It will operate as a stand-alone entity, to leverage its unique corporate culture including entrepreneurial spirit, agility and flexibility.”

Terrafertil was founded in 2005 in Ecuador. It quickly expanded its presence in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and the United Kingdom. In 2017, the company entered the United States with the purchase of Essential Living Foods.

This past September, Nestle acquired Sweet Earth, a manufacturer of plant-based foods based in California.