47 acquisitions in August

There was no holiday season for food and drink industry transactions in August, with 47 recorded on the bevblog.net database, including three over $500 million:

• $1,600 million for David Murdock’s valuation of Dole
• $580 million for Pinnacle Foods to buy Unilever’s Wish-Bone and Western brands
• $530 million for CVC private equity to take over selected European operations from Campbell Soup.

As many as 13 deals were in alcohol, with 6 in ingredients, 5 in dairy, 4 in soft drinks and 3 in equipment.

22 countries featured in the August tally, which was dominated by the United States more than ever. The United States was active in 33 of the 47, followed by the United Kingdom on 10 and France on 4. The UK and US were the biggest two international sellers.