Study: Food industry M&As dip in 2018, manufacturers lead activity
Food processors took part in 152 deals in 2018, a 19.4% decrease from 2017, while the retail sector increased almost 40% from the previous year.
The Food Institute, Upper Saddle River, N.J., tallied 527 food industry mergers and acquisitions in 2018, down almost 11% from 2017’s record year, according to its annual “Food Business Mergers & Acquisitions” report. Manufacturers, investment firms and retailers were once again the largest segments, taking part in more than half of the deals for the year.
Food processors took part in 152 deals in 2018, a 19.4% decrease from 2017, while the retail sector increased almost 40% from the previous year. Acquisitions by restaurant companies in 2018 were relatively in line with the prior year.