Economic challenges dampen food and beverage M&A activity

Press Release

Economic challenges dampen food and beverage M&A activity

09 Aug 2022

New analysis from leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP finds that ongoing macro-economic challenges, such as rising costs and squeezed consumers, slightly weakened confidence in the food and beverage sector in Q2 2022, resulting in a dip in M&A activity.

For each of the last four quarters, deal volumes have hovered in the mid-thirties. However, there were just 26 deals recorded in Q2 2022.

While deal numbers may have dropped, disclosed deal value increased compared to the previous quarter – £1.377 billion (Q2) up from £489.5million (Q1 2022). Large deals in Q2 included CapVest’s £426 million acquisition of South African chocolate manufacturer Natra.

Private equity activity in the sector slowed slightly in Q2, accounting for 38% (10) of the announced deals this quarter, compared to 41% in Q1.

The research also finds that the recent appetite for plant-based assets seems to be abating. The category accounted for 8% of all deals in Q2 2022, compared to 11% in Q1 2022 and 24% in Q4 2021 – suggesting that this relatively new category in the market is starting to become more established. Many bigger food businesses have also created their own plant-based options, making it more difficult for startups to make their mark.

Nicola Sartori, Head of Food and Beverage, Grant Thornton UK LLP, said:

“As a likely recession looms and inflation shows no sign of cooling, many food and beverage owners face a tough choice: try and grow in difficult conditions or push on with an exit. Others may not have the luxury of either option.

“Supermarkets are also reportedly leaning on suppliers to absorb price increases, reluctant to pass on higher prices to squeezed customers. This situation is not good news for smaller suppliers – of which there are many in the highly fragmented food and beverage industry – that don’t have the same bargaining power that larger, more established brands will hold.

“As businesses from all sectors continue to face economic headwinds, across the globe, larger food and beverage companies are re-organising their portfolios to focus on high-growth areas. Last month, for example, Kellogg's announced that it plans to split into three independent public companies: snacking, cereal, and plant-based, reflecting the different growth rates of each sector.

“Unlike the 2008 recession, this time around there's plenty of funding available to fuel M&A in the market. The challenge for food and beverage businesses looking to sell will be in proving that they have the growth potential to offset reduced household budgets.”

Experts / Authors

Nicola Sartori

I lead our national M&A retail and consumer brands team. I help businesses in the consumer sector, advising shareholders and management teams on raising finance or selling of part, or all, of their business.