Rise in food and drink business acquisitions

2018 was another record year for food and drink industry transactions, with 777 registered in the bevblog.net mergers and acquisitions database, an average of 15 each week.

The total is 48 more than in 2017 and 63% higher than five years ago.  The number has increased every year since a dip in 2013.

Dairy was one of the most active sectors, with 57 acquisitions in 2018 (although down 15 from 2017).

Confectionery saw one of the biggest increases, with 30 acquisitions in 2018, up from 17 in 2017, while the snacks sector saw a rise of 7 on the previous year.

The most active sectors were soft drinks on 65, ingredients on 62, then packaging on 47.  Wine on 37 was ahead of spirits on 29 and beer on 23.

The biggest increase was for services (+25), while many of the main categories saw declines, led by beer (-17).

Sources: bevblog.net, Zenith Global

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