USA – Solum Partners, a specialist investment firm focused on vertically integrated food and natural capital businesses, has announced the completion of the sale of its portfolio company, California Olive Ranch (COR), to Australian powerhouse Cobram Estate Olives (ASX:CBO), one of the world’s most recognized producers of extra virgin olive oil.
The transaction, finalized on March 26, 2026, following US Department of Justice approval, unites two industry leaders committed to high-quality, fresh extra virgin olive oil.
Valued at approximately AUD 260 million (US$173.5M), the acquisition enhances Cobram’s US dominance, expanding its California groves from 1,422 hectares to nearly 3,292 hectares, funded partly by a US$115.6M share placement in September 2025.
Founded in 1998, California Olive Ranch has emerged as America’s top-selling extra virgin olive oil brand in supermarkets, producing about 35% of US output through a vertically integrated model of growing, milling, bottling, and distribution.
Its operations span 1,870 hectares of owned and leased groves plus 2,500 hectares of contracted land, centered in Artois, California. Solum Partners, which invested in COR to scale its consumer appeal, praised the brand’s quality focus and customer loyalty.
“California Olive Ranch is an exceptional brand built on an unwavering dedication to quality and a genuine connection with its customers,” said Daniel Sachs, Partner at Solum Partners.
“When we invested in COR, we saw a tremendous opportunity to scale a category leader that was already redefining what American consumers expect from olive oil. We are proud of what the team has built, and we are confident that Cobram Estate is the ideal partner to carry that mission forward on a global stage. This transaction is a testament to the strength of the brand and the talent of the people behind it.”
This sale marks a successful exit for Solum and highlights COR’s growth from a regional player to a category leader.
Cobram Estate, Australia’s most awarded olive oil producer with over 2.6 million trees across 7,000 hectares in Victoria, established its US base in Woodland, California, in 2015.
Now with over one million US trees, the company employs a “tree-to-table” approach that emphasizes sustainability, innovation, such as satellite grove monitoring, and premium branding.
The merger creates a dual-hemisphere giant, enhancing supply chain resilience and market reach amid rising demand for authentic, traceable olive oil.
As US consumption of premium olive oil surges, driven by health trends and Mediterranean diets, this powerhouse is poised for further innovation and exports, promising consumers fresher, superior products year-round.
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Dining and Cooking