13 March 2025
BBVA advises Queka Real Partners on the sale of Juan Navarro García to Tikehau Capital
BBVA CIB has acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Queka Real Partners, a Spanish private equity firm, and the Martínez family, founders of the company, in the sale of a majority stake in Juan Navarro García to Tikehau Capital, a leading French fund specializing in sustainable investments.
BBVA Corporate & Investment Banking advised Queka Real Partners and the Martínez family on the sale of a majority stake in Juan Navarro García—a Murcia-based company specializing in natural ingredients—to asset management firm Tikehau Capital. This transaction reinforces BBVA’s position as a key advisor in mergers and acquisitions within the Iberian mid-market segment, consolidating its expertise in strategic transactions involving international investors.
Founded in 1865 and headquartered in Murcia, Juan Navarro García specializes in the production and distribution of paprika, cayenne, and oleoresin. The company exports nearly 90% of its production to over 45 countries and serves a customer base comprising major multinational corporations in the food, flavor, and fragrance industries, positioning itself as a global benchmark in high-quality natural ingredients.
This transaction strengthens a strategic alliance that combines the global vision of an international investor with the continuity of the company’s historical shareholders, laying the foundation for a new phase of sustainable and competitive growth for Juan Navarro García.
According to Álvaro Elío Dolz de Espejo, Managing Director responsible for Industrials & Middle Market Advisory at BBVA CIB, “This transaction reflects our ability to support leading companies in their growth processes, providing strategic advisory services in key sectors such as agribusiness. We are proud to have supported Queka Real Partners and the Martínez family in a deal that enhances Juan Navarro García’s international expansion.”
A new phase of sustainable growth for the company
In this new stage, Tikehau Capital will lead Juan Navarro García’s international expansion alongside Queka Real Partners and the founding family, who will remain as minority shareholders. This continuity reflects confidence in the company’s strong strategic positioning and its growth potential within the global natural ingredients market.
The acquisition by Tikehau Capital—a French fund with approximately €50 billion in assets under management and a presence in 17 countries—represents a key milestone in accelerating the company’s international expansion. The investment was made through its private equity channel focused on regenerative agriculture, developed in partnership with AXA and Unilever, with the aim of promoting more sustainable and resilient production models.
With BBVA’s advisory services, the company now embarks on an expansion phase with a strengthened structure, enhanced strategic capabilities, and a clear ambition to lead the global natural ingredients market.