Riviana Foods acquires grain production company

Riviana Foods Inc., North America’s largest producer and distributor of branded and private label rice products, has announced its latest acquisition. The company has agreed to purchase InHarvest Inc. from Duininck Companies.

InHarvest specializes in the production, marketing and sale of specialty rice, quinoa and grains. The deal is expected to close in early April.

Last September, Riviana announced it had invested in its Clearbrook, Minn. facility, building two new silos to expand rice production capacity by 50%. Prior to that move, the company invested $15 million in its Memphis, Tenn. production facility.

Riviana Foods, based in Houston, Texas, said the acquisition will expand Riviana's operations and geographic footprint into California, and includes two production facilities in Colusa and Woodland strategically located in the rice-growing area of the Western United States. In addition, with InHarvest's focus on the foodservice, ingredients/industrial and retail/private label sectors, the purchase complements and enhances Riviana's current business in those segments.

"The acquisition of the InHarvest business is an excellent fit and consistent with our strategic plan to expand our position in the specialty value-added rice, quinoa and grains markets," said Enrique Zaragoza, president & CEO of Riviana. "We are excited about this expansion as we also look forward to welcoming InHarvest's employees to the Riviana team."

In addition to private label products, Riviana owns well-known rice brands including Minute, Mahatma, Success, Carolina, and more, along with pasta through its Olivieri brand.