Pompeian(R) Group Partners With DCOOP Group of Spain to Become World Leader in Olive Oil Market

BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwired - Nov 3, 2015) - Pompeian Group, the Baltimore-based importer and distributor of olive oil and vinegar, is entering into a new equal partnership with the DCOOP Group of Spain, the largest olive oil cooperative in the world. Pompeian, through its group of olive oil companies in the United States, and DCOOP, through its subsidiary Mercaóleo, will conduct an exchange of shares with a transfer of assets between both holding companies. The partnership creates the global leader in olive oil, striving to meet the soaring demand for high quality, authentic olive oil with full traceability from tree to bottle. The first-of-its-kind agreement brings together the best possible raw materials and the finest production and bottling facilities in the world, merging assets that include an ultra-modern production facility in Spain directly next to the olive farms.

Pompeian Group is the top importer and manufacturer of olive oil in the United States that produces the #1 selling extra virgin olive oil on the market. A pioneer in bringing quality olive oil to the American table, Pompeian is the first national brand to carry the USDA Quality Monitored Seal. In addition, Pompeian's commitment to quality is extended through North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) and British Retail Consortium certifications and Carbon Trust membership. The family-owned Pompeian Group includes manufacturing plants on both the east and west coast. Additionally, the brand owns an olive grove in California. The Pompeian Group produces olive oils and vinegars sold under the Pompeian brand name.

The DCOOP Group of Spain is made up of 75,000 family farmers. The cooperative produces more than 250,000 metric tons of olive oil per year through 50 million trees. The world's largest olive grower, the DCOOP farmers produce a diverse crop, including Picual, Cornicabra, Manzanilla, Verdiales, Lechines and Arbequina olives.

"We are excited to work side by side with the DCOOP Group on this partnership to form a uniquely integrated group," said David Bensadoun, Chief Executive Officer of Pompeian Group. "Pompeian Group and the DCOOP Group share the same values and passion to work directly with family farmers to provide the highest quality olive oil in the world. The agreement will allow Pompeian Group to continue sourcing and producing the finest olive oil for U.S. consumers all year round."

DCOOP Group Chief Executive Officer Antonio Luque gave the following statement: "Pompeian Group is the most notable brand of olive oil in the United States and we are delighted to work together to ensure that the American table has consistent, quality olive oil. This partnership is the first step in building a leading olive oil enterprise that will provide consumers with full transparency from farm to plate."

For more information about Pompeian Group, visit www.pompeian.com. And follow Pompeian on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about the DCOOP Cooperative of Spain, visit www.dcoop.es.

About Pompeian Group
Baltimore based since 1906, Pompeian is America's largest national brand of olive oil, best-selling wine vinegars and a variety of cooking wines. The Pompeian Group will reach total sales of $405 million this year. In addition, Pompeian is the first brand to carry the USDA Quality Monitored seal on its extra virgin olive oil.

About DCOOP Group
The DCOOP Group is a large, second-degree cooperative in Spain that partners with companies and not individuals. Partners include cooperatives whose owners consist of more than 75,000 farmers and stockbreeders in southern Spain. Olive Oil, olives, goat milk, wheat, livestock, supplies and services are the divisions in which DCOOP devotes its activities. The DCOOP Group is the world's largest olive oil producer with average crops of 250,000 tons. Its revenue will achieve 900 million EUR this year. All product sold by the DCOOP Group is produced by cooperative farmers. The DCOOP Group has subsidiaries called Mercaoleo and Qorteba, and offices in China and the United States.