Dive Brief:

• Barilla has obtained a credit line for $907 million, according to the company's chief financial officer, and will use the majority of the cash to fund acquisitions. 
• The Italian company, already the largest pasta maker on earth, has selected possible targets in Latin America and Europe. 
• Whatever cash is left may be used to fund organic growth in Brazil and Russia. 

Dive Insight:

There are lots of interesting tidbits to be found in this news. First and foremost is that Barilla is apparently not considering an acquisition in the United States. Second, and far more surprising, is that Barilla sees a opportunity for growth in Russia.

Pasta is not included in the list of foods banned for import in the tit-for-tat sanctions battle spawned by the Ukraine crisis. And Barilla says its sales in that nation are growing at such a pace that the company plans to open new production facilities there next year.