France: Emmi enters €900 million deal to buy Mademoiselle Desserts

Leading Swiss dairy company Emmi has announced it has entered into a put option agreement for the acquisition of French dessert firm Mademoiselle Desserts for €900 million ($1.02 billion) to expand in the premium desserts category.

Founded in 1980, Mademoiselle Desserts is known for its premium patisserie products and dominates the European dessert market with 12 production facilities in France, the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Mademoiselle Desserts has also recently announced the launch of Moi, its first global consumer retail brand. The first product line available under the brand will be French mini beignets in Hazelnut & Cocoa, Red Fruits, Apple and Speculoos flavours.

Commenting on the acquisition, Emmi Group CEO Ricarda Demarmels said: “This strategically important step would allow us to exploit the global growth opportunities in the premium desserts category and take our portfolio transformation further. We aim to unite the ‘savoir faire’ of the French dessert-making and patisserie from Mademoiselle Desserts with the dessert creations of our passionate ‘pasticceri’ and innovative American and Latin inspired desserts from Italy and the US under the Emmi Group umbrella”.

Mademoiselle Desserts Group CEO Didier Boudy added: “We are truly delighted and excited about the prospect of joining our Italian and American colleagues from the Emmi Group and uniting our dessert expertise. Together, we would grow the desserts business with a fabulous range of iconic products”.

The transaction is subject to approval by competition and regulatory authorities.

Source: Emmi / Mademoiselle Desserts