Investor Consortium Partners with Baja Aqua-Farms to Drive Future Growth

Investing in the growth potential of Baja Aqua-Farms, a leading Bluefin tuna rancher, an investor consortium consisting of Continental Grain Company (Conti), Organización Cultiba SAB de CV (Cultiba), Equity Group Investments (EGI), and Castle Harlan Inc. has announced its partnership with the company. Baja Aqua-Farms, based in Baja California, Mexico, is known for its sustainable and environmentally responsible production of high-quality Pacific Bluefin tuna.

The strategic investment by the consortium aims to support Baja Aqua-Farms in meeting the rising demand in the seafood industry. As part of the partnership, Ignacio Sanz from Conti, Juan Ignacio Gallardo Thurlow from Cultiba, Rahul Sen from EGI, and Patrick Zyla from Castle Harlan will join Baja Aqua Farms' board of directors.

Baja Aqua-Farms has established itself as a leader in Bluefin tuna ranching, committed to producing and distributing the finest Pacific Bluefin tuna while prioritizing sustainable practices. Renowned chefs worldwide value the company's fresh sashimi grade tuna for its consistent quality and year-round availability.

Manuel Vazquez, Chief Executive Officer of Baja Aqua-Farms, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that the investor consortium's operational expertise would significantly contribute to the company's growth and expansion. Moreover, the incoming investors share Baja Aqua-Farms' commitment to environmental sustainability, presenting unique opportunities for customers, suppliers, and employees.

While the financial terms of the investment were not disclosed, the consortium's collaboration with Baja Aqua-Farms signifies a promising future for the company and the seafood industry as a whole.

About Baja Aqua-Farms

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Baja California, Mexico, Baja Aqua-Farms stands as a global leader in vertically integrated Bluefin tuna ranching. Located in the pristine oceanic waters of Baja California, the company adheres to rigorous standards to produce various tuna products sought after by top chefs and supermarket chains worldwide. To learn more, visit bajaaquafarms.com.

About Continental Grain Company

With over 200 years of history, Continental Grain Company (Conti) is a privately-owned global investor, owner, and operator of companies across the food and agribusiness industry. Conti leverages its deep industry knowledge, capital, and talent to create long-term value in established market leaders and promising innovators. The company focuses on building platforms that harness strategic expertise in food production, processing, and distribution to source proprietary deals and support strong management teams. Conti is dedicated to creating enduring value and ensuring a sustainable, efficient, and nutritional food supply chain. Learn more at continentalgrain.com.

About Cultiba

Listed on the Mexican Stock Market (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores), Cultiba is a holding company with minority interests in renowned food and beverage companies. Cultiba and its subsidiaries aim to drive profitable volume growth and expand EBITDA margins, with a particular focus on the North American market. For more information, visit cultiba.mx.

About Equity Group Investments

Equity Group Investments (EGI) is a private investment firm founded by Sam Zell over 50 years ago. Backed by private capital, EGI is flexible and opportunistic, primarily focusing on direct private investment opportunities. However, the firm also possesses in-house expertise to invest across the capital structure. As a long-term investor, EGI actively partners with portfolio company executives to execute strategic planning, implement operational efficiencies, and scale businesses. EGI's diverse portfolio includes investments in healthcare, transportation and logistics, infrastructure, energy, consumer goods, industrial manufacturing, agri-business, and real estate. Discover more at egizell.com.

About Castle Harlan

Founded in 1987, Castle Harlan is a New York-based private equity firm specializing in control equity investments in middle-market companies, particularly in niche consumer and specialty industrial businesses. Castle Harlan's investment strategy centers around partnering with existing management to provide long-term returns to investors. With over 55 acquisitions completed worth an aggregate enterprise value in excess of $11 billion, the firm has a proven track record of finding established businesses with steady growth potential. For more information, visit castleharlan.com.

In conclusion, the investor consortium's partnership with Baja Aqua-Farms symbolizes a significant milestone in the development of sustainable and high-quality Bluefin tuna production. As the demand for premium seafood continues to rise, the collaboration promises to meet this demand while maintaining environmentally responsible practices. This investment positions Baja Aqua-Farms to expand its market presence and further solidify its leadership in the industry. With the expertise and support of the consortium partners, the future growth and success of Baja Aqua-Farms are now brighter than ever.