Olive oil brand plans to expand into additional food categories.

The U.K.’s No. 1 olive oil brand, Filippo Berio has appointed Beanstalk as its licensing agency for extensions into close-to-core food categories.

Leveraging the 150-year-old brand’s Italian heritage and flavor profile, the licensing program will complement Filippo Berio’s existing selection of olive oils, vinegars and pesto.

“The popularity of Mediterranean cuisine shows no sign of slowing, and its ingredients and cooking methods continue to inspire food enthusiasts across the world," says Walter Zanre, managing director at Filippo Berio, U.K. "Through licensing, we want to offer consumers the opportunity to enjoy Italian style indulgences at home, complementing our existing offer of high-quality oils, vinegars and pesto. We were impressed with Beanstalk’s extensive experience working with food and beverage brands, and are confident in their ability to help us grow Filippo Berio’s offer in close-to-core categories.”

In addition to its leading position in the U.K. and U.S. markets, the brand enjoys significant market share in Switzerland, Canada and Japan, with a growing presence in emerging markets including Russia, China and Brazil.

“As the No. 1 brand in the olive oil category, Filippo Berio is perfectly positioned to maximize consumer demand for related food products inspired by Mediterranean cuisine," says Lisa Reiner, managing director, Beanstalk Europe & Asia Pacific. "By partnering the brand with best-in-class licensees, we aim to translate the high standards of its core products into a comprehensive food offer which enables consumers to create Italian-inspired indulgences in the comfort of their own homes.”