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Varun Beverages expands South African footprint with Rs 131 crore Crickley Dairy acquisition
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Thursday, 19 March, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL), the prominent franchise bottler for PepsiCo, has announced a significant expansion in the South African market. The company’s South African subsidiary, Bevco (The Beverage Company Proprietary Ltd), has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% equity stake in Crickley Dairy Proprietary Ltd for approximately Rs 131.47 crore (ZAR 300 million).
The deal, executed recently involves the purchase of the dairy firm from its parent entity, Clark Holdings Proprietary Ltd. This strategic move is designed to diversify VBL’s regional product portfolio beyond carbonated soft drinks into high-growth categories such as value-added dairy and juice-based beverages.
Crickley Dairy is a well-established player in the South African market, known for its range of milk and dairy-related products. By integrating Crickley into its operations, Varun Beverages aims to leverage its existing robust distribution network in the region to scale these new product lines.
The acquisition is currently pending regulatory approvals, including clearance from the Competition Commission of South Africa. Once finalized, it will mark another milestone in VBL’s aggressive expansion strategy across the African continent.
This latest transaction follows a series of high-profile acquisitions by Varun Beverages in the region. In March 2024, the company acquired The Beverage Company (Bevco), which granted it franchised rights in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, alongside distribution rights in Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Madagascar. More recently, in December 2024, VBL announced the total acquisition of another South African firm, Twizza.
By consolidating these diverse entities, Varun Beverages is positioning itself as a dominant multi-category beverage player in Southern Africa. The company’s stock reacted positively to the news, as investors view the move as a step toward reducing reliance on traditional soda categories while tapping into the growing demand for "better-for-you" and dairy-based consumer products.
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