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Mergers & Acquisitions
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Mergers & Acquisitions

Consolidation in the food industry has been facilitated by a large number of mergers and acquisitions in a variety of sectors, ranging from pet food to fertilizer to confections. As the number of remaining independent small producers and processors dwindles, increasingly the largest corporations are taking aim at one another. Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto, Heinz’s takeover of Kraft, Tyson’s acquisition of Hillshire, and Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods are just a few examples of how the most dominant companies in each sector are continuing on a path of intense consolidation.

Below is a database of many high-profile, high-impact mergers from the past several years. The database is searchable and can be ordered by Acquirer, Purchased, Date, Sector, and Deal Value. While this list is by no means comprehensive (there were over 300 food and beverage acquisitions in 2019 alone) it reveals a few key traits of consolidation in the food sector. First, that not all impactful mergers are necessarily expensive. Anheuser-Busch InBev’s 2011 acquisition of Goose Island Brewing Co. for $39 million was important for its indication of ABI’s future endeavors in the craft sector, despite carrying a relatively low price tag. JBS’s $14 million takeover of a lamb plant that processed one-fifth of U.S. lamb didn’t even meet antitrust investigation thresholds. Second, the database also demonstrates that within just a few years, some companies, like JBS, Grupo Bimbo, or B&G Foods, have made several key acquisitions, signaling their growing dominance.

This database will be continually updated. Our thanks to Food & Water Watch for their contribution of much of this important data.

AcquirerPurchasedDate (month/year)SectorDeal Value
BayerMonsantoJune 2018Seeds & Agrichemicals$63 billion
ChemChinaSyngentaMay 2017Seeds & Agrichemicals$43 billion
Southern Wine & SpiritsGlazer's (merger)July 2016Distribution$17 billion
AmazonWhole FoodsAugust 2017Grocery$13 billion
SyscoBrakesJuly 2016Distribution$3.1 billion
J.M. SmuckerBig Heart BrandsFebruary 2015Pet Food$5.8 billion
Ferrero InternationalKellogg's cookies and fruit snacks divisionJuly 2019Packaged Goods$1.3 billion
PepsiCoBetter For You BrandsDecember 2019Packaged GoodsUndisclosed
Hershey'sONE brandsSeptember 2019Packaged Goods$400 million
Coca ColaLurisiaSeptember 2019Beverages$97 million
PepsiCoCytoSport Business (Muscle Milk)March 2019Beverages$465 million
Bain CapitalCJ Foods AmericaMay 2019Manufacturing$320 million
Butterfly EquityBolthouse FarmsJune 2019Beverages$510 million
Taylor Fresh FoodsEarthbound FarmJuly 2019Produce$500 million
Atkins NutritionalsQuest NutritionNovember 2019Packaged Goods$1 billion
Coca ColafairlifeJanuary 2020Dairy$979 million
Dairy Farmers of AmericaDean FoodsMay 2020Dairy$433 million
JBSEmpire Packing select facilities and Ledbetter brandsApril 2020Meat$238 million
HormelSadler's SmokehouseMarch 2020Meat$270 million
PepsiCoRockstarApril 2020Beverages$4 billion
KKR & Co.Borden DairyJune 2020Dairy$340 million
JBSMountain States RosenJuly 2020Lamb Processing$14 million
KKR & Co.Campbell's Arnott's Biscuits divisionDecember 2019Packaged Goods$2.2 billion
FreshPointArmstrong ProduceNovember 2019Produce$155 million
Ferrero InternationalNestle's non-chocolate candy divisionJanuary 2018Confectionary$2.8 billion
Chef's WarehouseCambridge Packing CompanyFebruary 2020Meat$20 million
Cal-Maine FoodsManhard Egg FarmOctober 2019Eggs$46 million
Blue Point CapitalCountry Pure FoodsDecember 2019Beverages$256 million
E&J Gallo Winery, Inc.Constellation Brands wine and spirits portfolioDecember 2019Alchohol$1.1 billion
Marfrig Global FoodsNational Beef Packing Company - 82% ownershipNovember 2019Beef Processing$970 million
Anheuser-Busch InBevCraft Brew AllianceNovember 2019Alchohol$288 million
Performance Food GroupReinhart FoodServiceJuly 2019Distribution$2 billion
General MillsBlue BuffaloFebruary 2018Pet Food$8 billion
Peak Rock CapitalTurkey HillApril 2019Dairy$215 million
International Flavors and FragrancesDuPont nutrition division (merger)December 2019Nutrition and Bioscience$26.2 billion
Bimbo BakeriesPinnacle Foods Lender's Bagels brandJanuary 2020BakeryUndisclosed
Just Eat TakeawayGrubhubJune 2020Delivery$7.3 billion
UberPostmatesJuly 2020Delivery$2.65 billion
Legend HoldingsKailis Brothers - 90% ownershipMarch 2016Seafood$180 million
McCormickGourmet GardenApril 2016Spices$150 million
McCormickFrench's Mustard and Frank's Hot Sauce (via Reckitt Benckiser Food Unit)July 2017Spices$4.2 billion
JABKeurig Green MountainDecember 2015Beverages$14 billion
Chef's WarehouseHarris SeafoodOctober 2020DistributionUndisclosed
Ferrero International2 Sisters Fox's Biscuits divisionOctober 2020Packaged Goods$318 million
Chef's WarehouseBassian FarmsFebruary 2019MeatUndisclosed
Constellation BrandsCopper & Kings American BrandySeptember 2020AlchoholUndisclosed
Constellation BrandsCanopy Growth - 38% ownershipJuly 2018Cannabis$4 billion
ConagraPinnacle FoodsJuly 2018Frozen$10.9 billion
Campbell'sPacific FoodsDecember 2017Packaged Goods$700 million
LactalisStonyfieldJuly 2017Dairy$875 million
KelloggRXBAROctober 2017Packaged Goods$600 million
HormelColumbusOctober 2017Meat$850 million
NestleSweet EarthSeptember 2017Plant ProteinUndisclosed
UnileverSir Kensington'sApril 2017CondimentsUndisclosed
TysonAdvancePierre FoodsJune 2017Packaged Sandwiches$4.2 billion
Reckitt BenckiserMead JohnsonFebruary 2017Baby Formula$17.9 billion
KrogerHome ChefMay 2018Meal Kit/Grocery$200 million
SaputoMurray Goulburn Co-opApril 2018Dairy$1.3 billion
SaputoMorningstar FoodsJanuary 2013Dairy and Packaged Foods$1.45 billion
SaputoLion DairyOctober 2019Dairy$191 million
SaputoF&A DairyOctober 2018Dairy$85 million
LactalisSiggi'sJanuary 2018Dairy$300 million
LactalisKraft Natural Cheese DivisionSeptember 2020DairyPending
LactalisEhrmann Commonwealth DairyJuly 2019DairyUndisclosed
Campbell'sSnyders-LanceDecember 2017Packaged Goods$5 billion
Hershey'sAmplify Snack Brands (SkinnyPop and Pirate Brands)December 2017Packaged Goods$1.6 billion
Coca ColaCosta CoffeeAugust 2018Coffee$5.1 billion
PepsiCoSodaStreamAugust 2018Beverages$3.2 billion
General MillsEPIC ProvisionsJanuary 2016Packaged GoodsUndisclosed
NestleRights to Starbucks branded productsMay 2018Coffee$7.15 billion
Hershey'sbarkTHINSApril 2016Packaged GoodsUndisclosed
HelloFreshGreen ChefMarch 2018Meal KitUndisclosed
TysonKeystone FoodsAugust 2018Poultry Processing$2.4 billion
WalmartFlipkartAugust 2018E-Commerce$16 billion
Mondelez InternationalTate's Bake ShopMay 2018Packaged Goods$500 million
JABPret a MangerMay 2018RestaurantsUndisclosed
JABDr Pepper Snapple GroupJanuary 2018Beverages$19 billion
PostBob Evan'sSeptember 2017Frozen$1.5 billion
National BeefIowa PremiumJune 2019Beef Processing$150 million
Archer Daniels MidlandNeoviaFebruary 2019Animal Feed$1.8 billion
CargillEWOSAugust 2015Fish Feed$1.5 billion
Pinnacle FoodsBoulder BrandsNovember 2015Packaged Goods$682 million
Treehouse FoodsConAgra FoodsFebruary 2016Packaged Goods$2.7 billion
HeinzKraftMarch 2015Packaged Goods$28 billion
JAB Holding Co.Keuring Green MountainDecember 2015Coffee$13.9 billion
AlbertsonsSafewayJanuary 2015Grocery Retail$9.4 billion
Peets (JAB)StumptownOctober 2015CoffeeUndisclosed
HormelApplegateMay 2015Meat$775 million
Peets (JAB)IntelligentsiaOctober 2015CoffeeUndisclosed
Burger KingTim HortonsOctober 2014Fast Food$12.5 million
JBSCargill PorkJuly 2015Pork Processing$1.45 billion
General MillsAnniesSeptember 2014Organics/Processed Foods$820 million
Tyson FoodsHillshire BrandsAugust 2014Pork Processing$7.7 billion
UnileverTalentiDecember 2014Ice CreamUndisclosed
JBSMoy ParkJune 2015Poultry$1.5 billion
AholdDelhaizeJune 2015Grocery Retail$28 billion
KrogerHarris TeeterJanuary 2014Grocery Retail$2.4 billion
Anheuser-Busch InbevElysian Brewing CompanyJanuary 2015BeerUndisclosed
Anheuser-Busch InbevGoose Island BrewingMarch 2011Beer$39 million
Post HoldingsMOM BrandsJanuary 2015Cereal$1.15 billion
Post HoldingsMichael FoodsApril 2014Egg and Dairy$2.45 billion
Manhattan Beer DistributorsPhoenix Beehive BeveragesDecember 2014Beer DistributionUndisclosed
WhiteWaveSo DeliciousOctober 2014Ice Cream$195 million
UNFITonys Fine FoodsMay 2014Food Distribution$195 million
HormelMuscle MilkJune 2014Sports Beverage$450 million
Hain CelestialRudis OrganicsApril 2014Gluten-Free$61 million
KrogerVitacostJuly 2014Online Retailer$280 million
Lindt & SprugliRussell StoverJuly 2014Confections$1.5 billion
CargillConAgraMay 2014Wheat FlourUndisclosed
WhiteWaveEarthbound FarmDecember 2013Organics$600 million
Safra Group/Cutrale GroupChiquitaJanuary 2015Bananas$1.3 billion
Groupo BimboCanada Bread Co.February 2014Bread$1.6 billion
Suntory HoldingsBeam Inc.May 2014Distilleries$16 billion
B&G FoodsGeneral Mills (Green Giant)September 2015Frozen Food$765 million
B&G FoodsRoberts American Gourmet FoodJune 2013Packaged Goods$195 million
Berkshire Hathaway/3GHeinzFebruary 2013Packaged Goods$2.3 billion
MarsProctor & GambleApril 2014Pet Food$2.9 billion
PerdueNiman RanchSeptember 2015MeatUndisclosed
HeinekenLagunitas BrewingSeptember 2015BeerUndisclosed
Constellation BrandsBallast Point BreweryNovember 2015Beer$1 billion
Anheuser-Busch InBevSABMillerNovember 2015Beer$100 billion
ChemChinaSyngentaFebruary 2016Agrochemicals$43 billion
JAB HoldingsKrispy KremeMay 2016Restaurants$1.35 billion
Hormel FoodsJustin's Nut ButterMay 2016Peanut ButterUndisclosed
DannoneWhiteWaveJuly 2016Organic Dairy$10.4 billion

 
 
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Foreign Ownership

The American food system has long been populated with foreign companies. Many producers of consumer goods, including household names like Nestle and Unilever, are based abroad. But as mergers and acquisitions have facilitated an even more global food industry, a growing number of seemingly all-American companies are no longer based in the U.S. The consequences of this shift of power and capital overseas include lower taxes on corporations, and a less transparent food system for consumers.


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The most prominent foreign acquisition of an American food company in the past few years was Chinese company WH Group’s 2013 purchase of Smithfield Foods for $4.7 billion. The combined company is the largest pork producer in the world. WH Group, formerly known as Shuanghui, allegedly has received subsidies from the Chinese government. The deal was the largest ever Chinese acquisition of an American company.

And China isn’t the only growing power in the American food system. Two powerful Brazilian companies, 3G and JBS, have amassed enormous influence in the food sector. JBS is a meatpacker that, by annual sales, is the number two food company in the world, second only to Nestle. The largest meat producer in the world, JBS leads in beef, chicken, and lamb production, and is number three in pork, after Smithfield and Tyson. In 2007, JBS acquired Swift Foods Co., which was at the time the third-largest pork and beef processor in the U.S., for $1.4 billion. In 2009, JBS purchased a controlling stake in Pilgrim’s Pride, now the largest chicken producer in the U.S.

JBS also has ties to the Brazilian government. In 2007 when it became a publicly traded company in Brazil, JBS received investment from the Brazilian Development Bank, a government-controlled bank that funds development projects in the country. This relationship to the state concerns some experts, who wonder if JBS would have accomplished its level of dominance in the meat industry without state capital. For Americans, this relationship also means that the Brazilian government – an institution unaccountable to the American people – is involved in the control and financing of much of the country’s meat supply.

Another key player in the Brazilian food world is Marfrig Global Foods. Marfrig is the third-largest food processor in Brazil, and the fourth-largest beef producer in the world. Marfrig bought a majority stake in America’s fourth-largest beef packer, National Beef, in 2018 and increased its ownership to 81% in 2019. Marfrig is connected to JBS: in June 2015, JBS agreed to pay $1.5 billion for Marfrig’s Moy Park poultry business, the largest in the U.K. These Brazilian powerhouse companies have complicated relationships – while they compete in some markets, they also work together to consolidate their control over their respective industries.

3G Capital has also made headlines with its rapidly growing portfolio of American food companies. At the center of 3G’s strategy and ethos is Jorge Paulo Lemann, a Brazilian billionaire. In 2010, 3G acquired Burger King, which it then merged with Tim Horton’s to create Restaurant Brands International. RBI is now a $23 billion quick-serve restaurant company. Lemann was also heavily involved in the creation of the beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev. Around 2002, Lemann merged two breweries into AmBev, which would then merge with Interbrew to form InBev in 2004. Lemman was also heavily involved in InBev’s $46 billion takeover of Anheuser-Busch, solidifying his position as the largest individual shareholder in the largest beer company in the world. Four founding partners of 3G sit on ABI’s board. Lemann has worked closely with Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway, first when they purchased Heinz in a hostile takeover in 2013 for $28 billion and then to coordinate the Kraft/Heinz merger in April 2015.