Vafo Group, one of Europe’s leading producers of premium pet food, has announced plans to acquire Polish distributor Azan, further strengthening its presence in the Central and Eastern European pet food market.
The Czech-based company has formally submitted a merger application to UOKiK, Poland’s antitrust authority, seeking approval for the acquisition of AZAN sp. z o.o. sp.k. and AZAN sp. z o.o. This strategic move aims to solidify Vafo's distribution network and enhance its control over the supply chain in one of Europe’s most promising pet food markets.
“The notified merger will involve Vafo Group a.s. acquiring control of Azan, which has been distributing Vafo products in Poland for years,” UOKiK stated.
Longstanding Partnership Turned Acquisition
Azan, headquartered in Radom, eastern Poland, has been active in the Polish pet market for several decades. The company specializes in wholesale distribution of pet food and accessories, and is already a key partner for Vafo Group in the region.
According to UOKiK, Azan sp. z o.o. operates as the general partner of the business and does not engage in separate commercial activities. While the transaction value has not been disclosed, Polish competition laws require antitrust clearance if the parties involved have a combined global turnover of at least €1 billion or €50 million within Poland in the previous year.
Vafo Group Accelerates European Expansion
Founded in 1994, Vafo Group is a family-owned Czech company known for producing high-quality pet food and accessories under brands like Brit, Carnilove, and Profine. The group operates nine manufacturing facilities and has subsidiaries in:
Czech Republic
Poland
Germany
Austria
Finland
Sweden
United Kingdom
Estonia
This acquisition marks the latest step in Vafo’s ambitious European growth strategy, aimed at expanding both production capacity and distribution control.
European Pet Retail Market Sees Continued Growth
The planned acquisition comes amid strong momentum in the European pet care sector. In Q1 2025, German pet retail chain Fressnapf—Europe’s largest pet product retailer—opened 41 new stores across the continent, underlining growing consumer demand for pet food, accessories, and services.
About Vafo Group
Headquartered in the Czech Republic, Vafo Group is a top-tier European manufacturer of premium pet food products for dogs, cats, and other animals. The company is known for its commitment to nutrition, innovation, and sustainability, distributing products to more than 85 countries worldwide.