France: Lactalis to acquire Fonterra’s consumer unit in €1.9 billion deal
New Zealand-based dairy firm Fonterra has announced it has agreed to sell its global Consumer business unit and associated businesses to French peer Lactalis for an enterprise value of 3.85 billion NZD ($2.25 billion), subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. The deal covers Fonterra’s global Consumer business (excluding Greater China), its Consumer brands, the integrated […]
Toddler purees get a brain boost with ‘breast milk’ formulation
The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 28th August 2025: The power of food and drink to enhance cognitive function – as part of a broader trend for ‘super-human’ health benefits – has piqued consumer interest in recent years. This month’s Innovation Insight explores how these claims are increasingly entering the infant food and drink space, […]
USA: Danone to invest in Ohio yoghurt facility
Danone, the global dairy firm, has announced its plans to invest in expanding its yoghurt facility in Minster, OH, where it produces brands including Oikos, Activia, Dannon and Danimals. The investment plan includes expanding the site by 48,000 sq ft, installing a new production line and modernising operations, which will generate approximately 30 full-time jobs. […]
USA: Keurig Dr Pepper to acquire JDE Peet’s, split in two
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), the soft drinks and coffee firm, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Netherlands-based coffee and tea major JDE Peet’s for €15.7 billion ($18.21 billion). This transaction will combine Keurig, North America’s foremost single-serve coffee platform, with JDE Peet’s global coffee brands, building the world’s largest coffee […]
India: Reliance Consumer Products acquires Naturedge Beverages
Reliance Consumer Products (RCPL), the FMCG arm of Reliance Retail, has acquired a majority stake in a joint venture with Naturedge Beverages to expand its portfolio with healthier drinks, including herbal natural beverages. Founded in 2018, Naturedge Beverages is described as blending Indian ayurveda with modern drink choices. Its flagship Shunya branded product is a […]
Egypt: Ezdehar Management acquires Kemet
Private equity firm Ezdehar Management has acquired a majority stake in Egyptian snack maker Kemet for Natural Food S.A.E. through its Ezdehar Mid-Cap Fund II. Founded in 1998 in Giza, Kemet specialises in pretzels, with a portfolio featuring Pretzo, Mixy and Munchos, a filled pretzel snack. Its products are exported across four continents, as well […]
UK: M&S to invest £340 million in automated food distribution centre
Mark & Spencer (M&S), the UK department store retailer, has announced an investment of £340 million ($456 million) to boost growth in its food division. In a press release, M&S said the investment would fund the development of an automated National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Northamptonshire, due to open in 2029, which it described as […]
UK: Premier Foods to acquire Merchant Gourmet for £48 million
UK food manufacturer Premier Foods has announced the acquisition of Merchant Gourmet, a UK convenience foods brand, for £48 million ($64.6 million). Founded in 1995, Merchant Gourmet is described as having market leading positions in pulses and grains, in addition to offering microwaveable rice and ready meals, with most of its products sold in pouches. Commenting on the […]
Austria: Agrana to acquire Mercator-Emba from Fortenova Group
Agrana, the Austrian food group, has announced that it is acquiring Mercator-Emba, a leading Slovenian food producer serving the food service sector, processors, and retailers, from Croatian food processor and retailer Fortenova Group. Mercator-Emba produces items such as BenQuick instant cocoa and Sladki Greh dessert toppings. Employing around 100 people in Slovenia, the company generated […]
Netherlands: Ahold Delhaize to divest 87 stores in Romania
Dutch retail conglomerate Ahold Delhaize has announced that it has reached an agreement to sell 87 stores in Romania to local supermarket chain Annabella. Annabella, which has over 30 years of history of operating in the Romanian market, has an existing network of 118 shops spread across Argeș, Brașov, Dambovița, Giurgiu, Ialomița, Olt and Valcea counties. The […]