Packaging World

PepsiCo’s Russian acquisition expands global functional food business

  PepsiCo purchases 66% of Wimm-Bill-Dann, looking to provide products to meet growing health and wellness trends.

Nutraceuticals World reports that PepsiCo has agreed to acquire 66% of Wimm-Bill-Dann, “Russia’s leading branded food and beverage company.” The Dec. 2 online article says, “According to PepsiCo, the transaction will raise the company’s annual global revenues from nutritious and functional foods from approximately $10 million today to nearly $13 billion.”

In a press release on its Web site, PepsiCo says, “Health and wellness trends around the globe are accelerating, and dairy products offer a number of fundamental health and nutrition benefits, including natural ingredients like calcium and protein, as well as functional benefits like bone health. In developed markets, where the population is aging, these benefits are particularly relevant, and a reason that dairy is far outpacing overall food and beverage growth.”

The release notes, “The Russian economy is expected to become the second-largest European economy behind Germany. …Upon completion of the full Wimm-Bill-Dann acquisition, PepsiCo will employ approximately 31,000 people in Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia, and have 49 manufacturing facilities.” (Shown in the photo is Wimm-Bill-Dann’s BioMax Yogurt Drink, courtesy of PepsiCo’s Web site.)