South Africa: Varun Beverages to acquire Crickley Dairy

Varun Beverages, the India-based bottling partner for PepsiCo, has entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% stake in the South African firm Crickley Dairy.

The transaction is valued at 238 million ZAR ($14.3 million) and will be executed through Varun Beverages’ wholly owned subsidiary, The Beverage Company (Bevco). Varun Beverages previously completed the acquisition of Bevco, a South African beverage producer, in March 2024.

Based in the Eastern Cape, Crickley Dairy operates a manufacturing facility producing milk, cheese and yogurt. The deal marks a move for Varun Beverages to diversify its portfolio into the “value-added dairy” segment within the African market.

According to the company, the acquisition is intended to “further consolidate Varun Beverages’ operations in the region while supporting its diversification strategy”. The move follows the firm’s recent efforts to scale its footprint across South Africa and neighbouring territories.

Source: Just Food / Economic Times / IndiFoodBev / The MBS Group