WASHINGTON — Old Bay maker McCormick & Co. sells plenty of dried herbs, but its newest acquisition is aimed at the fresh herb shopper.
McCormick has acquired Botanical Food Co., maker of the Botanical Gourmet Garden brand of fresh herb pastes, for $114 million and says it will invest in expanding the product’s reach by increased branding.
Gourmet Garden says its products suspend fresh herbs in an oil mixture. A 4-ounce tube of basil stir-in paste contains three bunches of organically grown sweet basil. The products keep, refrigerated, for several weeks.
Gourmet Garden is based in Australia, although the United States is its largest market.
“We expect strong growth for these products, particularly in the U.S. and key international markets where consumers appreciate the value and accessibility of cooking with a more convenient flavoring alternative,” said McCormick Chief Executive Lawrence Kurzius in a written statement. “The Gourmet Garden brand offers a more convenient alternative to consumers who currently buy fresh herbs.”
Gourmet Garden, whose products also include fresh ginger, chili pepper, garlic and cilantro, says its sales are growing at double-digit rates.
McCormick has been expanding beyond traditional dried herbs and spices in recent years with the addition of products like herb grinders and slow cooker sauces and acquisitions that have added prepared rice and pasta dishes.
The company, based in Sparks, Maryland, had $4.3 billion in 2015 sales and about 10,000 employees worldwide.
