Australia's largest olive producer, Cobram Estate Olives (CBO), has completed its $250 million acquisition of US-based olive oil producer and marketer, California Olive Ranch (COR), from investment firm, Solum Partners. The acquisition aims to expand CBO’s US presence and strengthen its position as a major global producer.
COR operates a fully vertically integrated olive oil business in California, managing 1870 hectares of company-owned and leased groves alongside approximately 2500 hectares of contracted third-party groves, all supported by a milling, storage, bottling, and warehousing facility in Artois, California.
CBO entered into a binding agreement to acquire COR on 24 December 2025, subject to anti-trust approval from the United States Department of Justice, which it cleared on 12 March. COR is valued at approximately $250 million (US$174 million), with the transaction funded through a mix of cash, vendor notes, and an earn out.
The acquisition includes the California Olive Ranch brand, the leading Californian-produced extra virgin olive oil in USA supermarkets.
Global law firm, DLA Piper, has been supporting CBO’s growth in Australia and the US, and advised the company on all legal aspects of this acquisition.
CBO joint CEO (finance and commercial) and executive director, Sam Beaton, said the transaction marks an important milestone for Cobram Estate Olives and reinforces the strength of the company’s long term global strategy.
“We thank DLA Piper for their support and advice in navigating a complex cross border transaction, further positioning Cobram Estate as a global leader in growing and marketing premium extra virgin olive oil,” said Beaton.
CBO had a massive 2025, completing a $175 million institutional placement in September 2025, aiming to accelerate its growth strategy in the US. The company posted its highest-ever earnings and cash flow in November 2025, and landed at #92 on the Top 100 Food & Drink Companies 2025 list.
