HOSTESS BRANDS, INC. acquired by THE J.M. SMUCKER CO.

Coca-Cola HBC AG, through its wholly-owned subsidiary CC Beverages Holdings II BV, has completed the acquisition of Brown-Forman Finland Oy, the corporate entity that owns the Finlandia vodka brand, from Brown-Forman Netherlands BV. The transaction finalized following a definitive agreement reached earlier in the year. This corporate divestiture structures the full equity transfer of the brand, transitioning ownership to the strategic bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company. The divestment aligns with Brown-Forman’s long-term strategic ambition to premiumize its core product portfolio through targeted brand innovation, acquisitions, and selective asset sales

Nolet Distillery launched a recommended public offer to acquire all issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Lucas Bols Company, marking a significant consolidation within the Dutch spirits industry. This public-to-private transaction was motivated by a shared strategic vision to create a "Dutch champion" in the global cocktails and spirits market. The acquisition allows Lucas Bols to preserve over 450 years of craftsmanship and heritage under the stewardship of a long-term, family-owned strategic ally

Groupe Avril acquired a majority stake in HARi&CO, partnering with the founders, who remain at the helm of the company. This transaction provides an exit for the early-stage financial investors, Eutopia (via Otium Consumer) and Triodos Investment Management. For Avril, this acquisition is highly synergistic with its purchase of Vivien Paille (a major legume processor) the previous year, allowing the group to control the entire value chain from the field (farmers) to the consumer's plate (branded finished goods)

Royal Unibrew A/S has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Vrumona from the brewing giant Heineken. This transaction serves as a transformative step for Royal Unibrew, establishing a new, comprehensive growth platform in Continental Europe and granting immediate access to the Dutch market with a significant industrial footprint. The deal consolidates the relationship between Royal Unibrew and PepsiCo, as Vrumona has held the license for Pepsi brands in the Netherlands since 1949

The 100% acquisition of United Malt Group by Malteries Soufflet creates the world's largest maltster, significantly increasing the acquirer's annual production capacity by 50% to reach 3.7 million tonnes across 41 production sites in 20 countries. The strategic rationale is driven by the desire to build a truly global platform with highly complementary geographic footprints, particularly strengthening the acquirer's presence in North America and the high-margin craft beer segment. This platform investment is expected to be value-accretive by enabling large-scale operational synergies, enhancing R&D capabilities for sustainable product development, and consolidating a fragmented global market

Mars, Incorporated has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Kevin's Natural Foods. This acquisition marks a significant step in Mars Food & Nutrition's strategy to expand into the high-growth "healthy eating" segment. Kevin's Natural Foods will operate as a standalone brand within the Mars Food & Nutrition division, retaining its entrepreneurial culture while leveraging Mars' global distribution network and R&D capabilities to scale. The deal provides an exit for early investors Towerbrook Capital and NewRoad Capital

Mitsui & Co., Ltd., a diversified Japanese trading and investment group, expands its presence in functional food ingredients through the acquisition of a majority stake in Nutrinova Netherlands B.V. from Celanese Corporation. The transaction supports Mitsui’s broader strategy of strengthening its Nutrition & Wellness platform and increasing exposure to high-value food ingredient categories. Nutrinova specialises in the production and distribution of high-intensity sweeteners and food preservation solutions supplied to food and beverage manufacturers worldwide

Riello Investimenti Partners SGR has acquired a 75% majority stake in Il Fornaio del Casale S.p.A. The founding family retains a 25% minority stake and remains involved in the management. This is the seventh acquisition for the "Italian Strategy Private Equity" fund. The strategic rationale is to support the company's growth by expanding domestic distribution and, crucially, accelerating internationalization (exports). The deal structure leverages the target's strong brand positioning to enter new markets

Heineken N.V. strengthened its position in the craft beer segment through the acquisition of the remaining shares of Oedipus Brewing, having previously held a minority stake since 2019. Based in Amsterdam, Oedipus has established itself as a recognised craft beer brand through its distinctive identity, community-driven culture and portfolio of differentiated products, building a loyal consumer base in the Dutch market. The transaction takes place against a backdrop of increasing consolidation within the craft brewing sector, which has faced pressure from rising raw material, energy and labour costs

Pernod Ricard, through its Canadian subsidiary Corby Spirit and Wine, acquired a 90% stake in Ace Beverage Group, with a clear path to 100% ownership via two call options exercisable in 2025 and 2028. The transaction is structured as a majority‑stake bolt‑on designed to position Corby as a leading force in the Canadian RTD category, where Ace Beverage Group is already the largest independent operator and a pure‑play RTD platform. Created via the 2020 combination of Cottage Springs and Ace Hill, ABG has built a strong presence around its flagship brand Cottage Springs, which leads the Ontario RTD market with iconic products such as Vodka Soda, Vodka Water, and Tequila Soda, while also offering a secondary portfolio of brands like Ace Hill, Cabana Coast, and Liberty Village