Associated British Foods (ABF) has recently announced the acquisition of Australia’s The Artisanal Group, a strategic move in the evolving landscape of the food and beverage industry. The update, delivered on September 5th in a trading report reflecting the company’s performance for the half-year period ending September 14, highlights ABF’s ongoing commitment to expanding its footprint in the food and drink business.
In the trading update, ABF stated, “During the period, we completed the acquisition of The Artisanal Group, a leading manufacturer and wholesaler of high‐quality baked goods in Australia, primarily serving cafes, restaurants, and hotels.” The Artisanal Group operates under three well-established brands: Noisette, Brasserie Bread, and Jaune, manufacturing a diverse range of products such as artisanal breads, croissants, pastries, and cakes.
Importantly, the existing founders, management team, and employees will continue to lead The Artisanal Group, ensuring a seamless transition and ongoing innovation within the organization. The financial terms of the deal, however, remain undisclosed. This acquisition enhances ABF’s Australian portfolio, which already includes notable brands like Tip Top, a major player in Australia’s bakery sector, as well as the meat business Don and popular houmous supplier Yumi’s.
In the same trading report, ABF also emphasized the resilience of its Australia and New Zealand-focused brands amid a challenging consumer environment. Overall, the grocery segment—covering operations in the UK, continental Europe, and North America—remains robust. The company anticipates a sales growth of approximately 3% for this division during the half-year period. Notable brands within ABF’s grocery arm include Ryvita in the UK and Capullo cooking oil in North America, along with the hot drinks lines Twinings and Ovaltine.
ABF has established itself as a key player in the food and beverage industry trends, serving as a significant supplier of sugar and ingredients to the bakery sector. Furthermore, it retains ownership of the Primark clothing retail chain, showcasing its diversified portfolio.
In his statement, ABF’s chief executive George Weston remarked that the grocery and ingredients divisions have performed well in the second half, aligning with the company’s expectations and forecasted growth. Despite a drop in European sugar prices, profits from the sugar business “remain ahead” of last year, but fell short of prior expectations.
ABF is set to disclose its full-year financial results in November, promising further insights into its strategic initiatives and performance within the competitive food and drink consumer trends.
