Japanese giant Mitsui has sold off is North America-based trading division, MFI Foods, to a privately held food import group.
The Atalanta Corporation, a US food trading group owned by the Gellert Global Group (GGG), acquired the division for an undisclosed sum.
MFI Foods trades a wide range of food products, including frozen and canned seafood under the Empress brand and others.
These brands, including the Empress canned fish brand, will be integrated across the Gellert Global Group divisions, including Atalanta Corporation and Camerican International.
Through the acquisition of the MFI assets, GGG will continue to source imported foods, including frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, seafood, meats, and cheeses from more than 60 countries, the company said.
Among Mitsui's seafood operations is a minority stake in Chilean salmon farmer Multiexport -- recently renamed Multi X.
New Jersey-based Atalanta is one of the largest North American food importers, primarily serving specialty foodservice and retail markets. GGG owns six other food import subsidiaries.
Gellert Global Group is primarily focused on real estate and investments outside of food. Among its partners on real estate development is The Kushner Companies, owned by the family of Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Mitsui was advised on the sale by seafood advisory firm Antarctica Advisors.
