As the end of 2025 draws to a close, Food Manufacture rounds up 10 of the most notable deals which happened over the course of the year.
2 Sisters owner acquires poultry feed mills
The acquisition of feed mills in Burston and Radstock by the owner of 2 Sisters Food Group, Boparan Holdings, was provisionally approved by a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) independent inquiry group.
Ranjit Singh Boparan agreed to the acquisition of the ForFarmers-owned feed mills via his feed manufacturing firm 2Agriculture last year.
However, the deal attracted the attention of the CMA over concerns it could reduce competition within the feed market, as ForFarmers and 2Agriculture are both involved in the manufacture and supply of poultry feed in the UK.
A Phase 1 investigation concluded that the deal would provide Boparan with the “ability and incentive to harm rival poultry meat producers”, but Phase 2 investigators opted against trying to block the acquisition.
“Having assessed the evidence, we have provisionally found that Boparan’s purchase of ForFarmers’ Burston feed mill does not raise competition concerns,” said Kirstin Baker, chair of the independent inquiry group.
“We’re reassured by the evidence which shows that farmers and chicken suppliers in the UK will continue to have options when it comes to choosing chicken feed providers, should the deal go ahead. We’re now seeking feedback and views on our interim report before reaching a final decision.”
The deal has now been fully approved by the CMA.
Arla Foods and DMK Group finalise merger plans
Arla Foods and DMK Group announced plans to merge earlier this year, creating Europe’s strongest dairy cooperative with a combined revenue of more than €19 billion (£16.2 billion).
The merger brought together more than 12,000 farmers and carries the Arla name. Its headquarters are based in Viby J, Denmark with Jan Toft Nørgaard – chair of Arla foods – as chair of the merged business.
Peder Tuborgh, chief executive of Arla Foods, serves as CEO, and DMK CEO Ingo Müller stepped into the Arla executive management team as executive vice president of post-merger integration.
Tuborgh described DMK, the largest dairy cooperative in Germany, as a very attractive partner that shared Arla’s core values.
“Our strong market positions and product portfolios complement each other very well and our strong partnership in recent years has proven that DMK Group is an ideal partner for Arla,” he added.
“Our joint market presence in Europe and globally will enable us to safeguard our production of healthy dairy products, ensuring stable food production in Europe, as well as bringing even more nutritious products to the world and our customers.”
Sofina Foods acquires Finnebrogue
Sofina Foods Europe added to its portfolio with the acquisition of the Northern Ireland manufacturer for an undisclosed sum.
Sofina Foods Europe is a leading supplier of both branded and own-label seafood and pork products. The pork division is one of the largest processors and suppliers of products across the UK and Ireland.
While the seafood division is the largest provider of chilled and frozen products across the UK, including the Young’s brand which it acquired in 2021. It is also a major player in frozen seafood across Germany and France.
The acquisition of Finnebrogue is part of Sofina Foods’ continuous growth strategy, with the addition of the Northern Ireland producer’s portfolio bringing its outdoor-bred pork, sausages, rashers and ham products, as well as the plant-based ‘Naked Range’ into its wheelhouse.
“Sofina Foods has been acquisitive in the UK, developing its pork and seafood interests through Young’s Seafood and Karro Food Group. Family-owned Finnebrogue, with good factories in Northern Ireland, has long been seen as an attractive target and it will further expand Sofina’s position in the increasingly consolidated UK market. It looks like a good deal all round,” Julian Wild, corporate finance director at Rollets told Food Manufacture.
Hovis acquired by Kingsmill owner in landmark deal
Back in August, Kingsmill owner, Associated British Foods (ABF), reached an agreement to acquire rival bread brand Hovis.
No financial details of the long-rumoured deal have been released, but a Sky News report suggested it could be worth around £70 million.
Hovis is owned by private equity firm Endless LLP and has seen losses mount in recent years, while Associated British Foods admitted that profitability at its UK bakery business Allied Bakeries has been challenged by a decline in demand for pre-sliced, packaged bread.
Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval, but should it proceed, ABF believes that the combination of the production and distribution activities of the two businesses will help drive “significant costs synergies and efficiencies” and create a “profitable UK bread business that is sustainable over the long term”.
George Weston, chief executive of ABF, commented: “This transaction will create a UK bakeries business that is both profitable and sustainable over the long term.
“Supporting the Hovis and Kingsmill brands with well-invested and efficient operations will also enable innovation and growth. This solution will create value for shareholders, provide greater choice for consumers and increase efficiencies for customers.”
Premier Foods acquires Merchant Gourmet in £48M deal
Premier Foods agreed to acquire ready meal brand Merchant Gourmet for £48 million this summer.
The deal will see Premier Foods purchase 100% of shares in Merchant Gourmet on a cash and debt free basis, with the transaction expected to complete on 1 September 2025.
Merchant Gourmet has seen double-digit growth over last two years and is expected to be earnings accretive in first full year of ownership. The brand specialises in branded ready-to-eat pulses and grains and microwaveable rice dishes, and has listings in leading grocery retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.
Commenting on the deal, Premier Foods chief executive officer, Alex Whitehouse, said that the acquisition would enable the firm to meet “growing demand for premium, healthy and convenient meal options”.
He added: “Replicating the success of our previous two acquisitions, The Spice Tailor and FUEL10K, we will be deploying our proven branded growth model; expanding retailer distribution, accelerating new product development, and increasing marketing investment to unlock further profitable growth for the brand.
“Merchant Gourmet expands our category presence, complementing our already strong brand portfolio, and we look forward to welcoming the team to Premier Foods.”
Hilton Foods disposes of FairFax Meadow for £54M
Hilton Foods sold the catering butcher to Sysco GB as the group continues to reshape it strategy. Sysco GB purchased FairFax Meadow for £54 million, cash.
FairFax Meadow has been operating for more than 50 years and currently employs 360 people, with production and distribution facilities in across Derby, Enfield and Eastleigh.
It was acquired by Hilton Foods in 2021. Hilton Foods says the sale to Sysco represents a continual review of the group’s activities and strategy, as it looks to align the business more closely ‘with its core strengths’.
“At Hilton Foods, our objective is clear, to build on the strengths that have long defined our business. By refining our portfolio and focusing resources where our global expertise and strong customer partnerships create the greatest opportunities, we are reinforcing the platform for sustained growth and delivering attractive long-term returns,” said Steve Murrells, CEO of Hilton Foods.
For Sysco GB, the acquisition of the catering butcher is part of a strategy to grow its ‘centre of plate’ proposition and mark itself out as the UK’s leading fresh meat supplier to the foodservice sector.
Roberts Bakery saved, over 400 jobs secured
Roberts Bakery parent company, Frank Roberts & Sons Limited, was saved by the private investment enterprise, Boparan Private Office, owned by entrepreneur Ranjit Singh Boparan.
The investment from Boparan Private Office resulted in the creation of a new company, Roberts Bakery 1887 Ltd, and secured 433 jobs at the historic bakery business.
Roberts Bakery 1887 Ltd will form part of the Boparan Private Office portfolio of companies, benefitting from the backing and expertise of a strong and diverse enterprise with established interests in the bakery sector.
The news follows Roberts Bakery announcing that it was preparing to enter administration earlier this month.
It came less than six weeks after the bakery said it was planning to close its site in IIkeston, among other restructuring announcements which put hundreds of jobs at risks at its Northwich site.
The Northwich facility suffered a devastating blow as a result of a fire in 2023, which the firm said it has struggled to recover from in full.
“We are proud to play a part in preserving this iconic bakery, its people, and its heritage. Frank Roberts & Sons has been at the heart of the community for over a century, and we are committed to supporting its long-term success as Roberts Bakery 1887 Ltd,” a spokesperson for Boparan Private Office said.
Greencore and Bakkavor deal looks set to get green light
Greencore’s £1.2 billion acquisition of Bakkavor is expected to complete in early 2026 after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it accepted in principle the ‘remedies’ put forward by the businesses to resolve its concerns.
A Phase 1 investigation by the CMA found that the deal could result in a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of own-label chilled sauces – such as pasta and stir-fry sauces.
To resolve the CMA’s concerns, the businesses have offered to sell Greencore’s only chilled sauce and soups manufacturing plant in Bristol, which looks set to be scooped up by the Compleat Food Group.
The Bristol site and its related business generated revenues of approximately £47 million in the year ended 26 September 2025.
The CMA said it believes this could resolve the competition concerns and will consult on the composition of the remedies package and the potential purchaser in “due course”.
Dalton Philips, CEO of Greencore, said: “The CMA’s acceptance in principle of the remedy is really good news and means we can now look to complete the Bakkavor deal in early 2026.”
Unilever completes ice cream business demerger
Unilever has completed the demerger of its ice cream business, now known as The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC).
The news follows confirmation from the company in October that it planned to complete the demerger by the end of the year as it unveiled results for the third quarter 2025.
The company confirmed a “revision to the timetable” for the demerger of TMICC as a result of the US federal government shutdown.
TMICC is trading with brands including Magnum, Ben & Jerrys, Wall’s and Cornetto in its portfolio. Shares are now trading on stock exchanges in London, Amsterdam and New York.
Peter ter Kulve, TMICC CEO, said: “Today is a proud milestone for everyone associated with TMICC. We became the global leader in ice cream as part of the Unilever family. Now, as an independent listed company, we will be more agile, more focused, and more ambitious than ever.”
He added: “We have a clear strategy to deliver growth, improve productivity and reinvest in TMICC in line with the medium-term targets we set out at our recent Capital Markets Day.
“With our iconic brands, world-class capabilities, expert people and the trust of millions of ice cream lovers globally, we aim to lead the frozen snacking revolution, shaping new occasions, innovating new products and fresh ways to delight people around the world, improving the service to our customers and creating value for our shareholders and wider stakeholders. Because life tastes better with ice cream.”
Mars gets green light for Kellanova acquisition
Mars has been given approval from the European Commission for its merger with Kellanova.
Mars and Kellanova said last week they anticipate the deal will close soon.
This will mean that Kellanova’s portfolio of snacking brands, which includes Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats, RXBAR, and Kellogg’s international cereal brands, will join the existing Mars Snacking portfolio, which features brands such as Snickers, M&M’s, Twix, Skittles, Extra, and Kind.
Mars expects the combined snacking business to generate around $36 billion in annual revenues.
Mars Snacking will continue to be headquartered in Chicago and will now operate in more than 145 markets, with a team of more than 50,000 staff, 80 global production facilities, and more than 170 retail outlets like Hotel Chocolat and M&M’S World.
“We are excited to have received final regulatory approval for the pending acquisition of Kellanova,” said Poul Weihrauch, CEO and office of the president of Mars, Incorporated.
“Our focus now turns to welcoming Kellanova employees to Mars and creating an even more innovative global snacking business that delivers greater choice and quality to more consumers around the world.”