Tropical Cheese Industries, the Perth Amboy-based producer of Hispanic dairy products in the United States, today announced its acquisition of Cibao Meat Products, a premier manufacturer of authentic Hispanic-style meats. The deal unites two dominant forces in the refrigerated food sector, significantly expanding Tropical Cheese’s portfolio into high-demand meat categories.
By integrating Cibao as its new Cibao Meat Products Division, Tropical Cheese aims to provide a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for Hispanic refrigerated staples. The acquisition brings several iconic brands under one roof, notably:
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Induveca: A household staple and the #1 selling Spanish-style salami in the U.S.
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Campesino: A heritage brand specializing in Dominican-style ham and luncheon loaves.
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Tropical Cheese: The East Coast’s category leader in Hispanic cheeses like Queso Blanco and Queso de Freír.
“This acquisition accelerates Tropical Cheese’s growth by uniting two category leaders,” Vic Mehren, CEO of Tropical Cheese said. “With Cibao, we will significantly strengthen our Meats Division and broaden our reach across the food industry and Hispanic community.”
Both companies share deep roots in family-built legacies. Tropical Cheese was founded in 1982 by Rafael Mendez, who started with a single milk delivery route. Cibao Meat Products, established in 1969 by Siegfried Vieluf, is a third-generation business based in Rockaway, New Jersey.
Heinz Vieluf Jr., president of Cibao Meat Products, noted the cultural alignment: “We are both family-built businesses with brands that are rooted in tradition and trusted for their quality. Joining Tropical Cheese gives Cibao access to greater resources and capabilities, enabling us to further invest in the business.”
The merger leverages Tropical Cheese’s extensive direct-store-delivery (DSD) network and Cibao’s robust cold-chain logistics. This combined infrastructure will allow for:
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Increased freshness: Streamlined logistics ensuring premium products reach shelves faster.
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Broader distribution: Expansion of Cibao’s brands into new retail channels across the Eastern U.S.
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Enhanced service: Additional resources for customer support and in-store execution.
The acquisition comes at a time of explosive growth for the Hispanic food market, which is projected to reach $35.5 billion in 2026. As consumers increasingly seek authentic, high-quality ethnic foods, the combined Tropical-Cibao entity is positioned to dominate the refrigerated aisle.
Tropical Cheese is backed by private equity firms Avance Investment Management and AUA Private Equity, both of which focus on scaling founder-owned businesses. This acquisition is a key component of their strategy to build a leading, multi-category Hispanic food platform.
