SAO PAULO, Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BRF – Brasil Foods S.A. (BRFS3), announces that it has signed a binding offer to acquire, through its subsidiary in Austria, a 49% share equity stake, and management control of Federal Foods Limited, a privately-held company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The remaining share equity stake in Federal Foods will be maintained by Al Nowais Investments, the current owner of Federal Foods.

Federal Foods is a leading food company in the United Arab Emirates, catering to a full spectrum of retail, food service and wholesale clients. The company operates 6 branches in the United Arab Emirates and 1 in the State of Qatar, with over 1,350 employees and a logistics fleet over 260 chilled/frozen vans and trucks. It reached US$ 266 million net sales and 92 thousand tons of products in 2011.

Federal Foods has been a distributor of Sadia products in the United Arab Emirates for over 20 years. In addition to Sadia products, it distributes a range of chilled, frozen and dry products from other brands and suppliers. Currently, BRF products already account for approximately 65% of Federal Foods total net sales.

BRF will sell and distribute its portfolio of products in the UAE through Federal Foods, including Sadia and Perdix brands, and the portfolio from the processed products plant which will start operating in 2013.

This acquisition is in line with BRF's strategic plan to internationalize the company, accessing local markets, strengthening BRF's brands and distribution and expanding its product portfolio in the Middle East.

BRF investment for the acquisition will amount to US$ 36 million, in return for a 49% share equity stake in Federal Foods. BRF will hold management control as established in the Shareholders Agreement, and will consolidate Federal Foods financial statements.

Leopoldo Viriato Saboya
Chief Financial, Administration and Investor Relations Officer

Contact:
Katia Ramires
Email: katia.ramires@brasilfoods.com
Phone: +55 11 2322-5048

Ana Carolina Pires Bastos
Email: ana.bastos@brasilfoods.com
Phone: +55 11 2322-5037

SOURCE BRF - Brasil Foods S.A.