Tropical Cheese expands portfolio with Cibao Meat acquisition

The basics:

• Tropical Cheese acquires Rockaway-based Cibao Meat Products
• Acquisition adds meat products to Tropical Cheese‘s Hispanic foods portfolio
• Strengthens Meats Division, expands distribution across the US
• Both family-built companies bring legacy brands like Campesino and Induveca

Tropical Cheese is adding some more meat to its market-leading portfolio of Hispanic foods.

The Perth Amboy-based company announced the acquisition of Rockaway-headquartered meat manufacturer Cibao Meat Products in a Jan. 13 press release.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Tropical Cheese will integrate Cibao as a new division.

According to the buyer, the move will allow it “to provide a more complete portfolio of branded Hispanic refrigerated food products.”

Founded in 1969, third-generation business Cibao Meat Products focuses on top-tier meat products tailored to Latin American tastes. Its brands include Campesino and Induveca.

Additionally, Cibao has a robust cold-chain logistics operation that prioritizes freshness and consistency, as well as a strong customer service and high-touch commercial teams.

Since founding Tropical Cheese in 1982, Rafael Mendez has grown the business into a category leader in Hispanic cheeses across the eastern part of the U.S. The company also sells meats, tortillas, creams, and beverages to an integrated network of convenience stores and food retailers.

Mendez, a Cuban immigrant, recently stepped down as CEO. Consumer packaged goods industry veteran Vic Mehren took the helm in September 2025. His appointment came eight months after Tropical Cheese announced a strategic investment from private equity firms AUA Private Equity Partners and Avance Investment Management.

As part of the deal, the Mendez family and management retained a significant minority stake in the business.

Coming together

Cibao President Heinz Vieluf Jr. said he believes joining Tropical Cheese will be “an exciting next chapter” for his company.

“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 and deliver for our customers,” he continued. “We look forward to working with Tropical Cheese to continue bringing together the products that have long been staples in the households and communities we grew up in and proudly continue to serve.”

We are both family-built businesses with brands that are rooted in tradition and trusted for their quality.
– Heinz Vieluf Jr., Cibao president

Mehren remarked, “With Cibao, we will significantly strengthen our Meats Division, expand our Hispanic foods platform, and broaden our reach across the food industry and Hispanic community.”

“This combination provides our customers with more high-quality offerings, stronger support, and additional resources behind service and execution. Cibao’s premium ingredients and authentic recipes help us bring more authentic Hispanic foods to more consumers,” he stated.

“Like Tropical Cheese, Cibao is a family-built company with a legacy that reflects our shared values of having pride in what we do, providing quality products to our customers, and supporting the dedicated, hardworking team members who are the key to our success,” he went on.