Agribusiness giant Bunge Global SA plans to sell its European margarines and spreads business to Belgian food group Vandemoortele.

Financial terms of the deal, announced March 25, weren’t disclosed. Under the agreement, Ghent, Belgium-based Vandemoortele is slated to acquire Bunge’s margarines and spreads business in Germany, Finland, Poland and Hungary, including its spreads and margarine manufacturing facilities and a portfolio of 20 consumer brands.

“Bunge’s focus going forward is on global leadership in our integrated value chains in oilseeds and grains, and in our connected oils, emulsifiers and proteins B2B ingredients businesses,” said Pierre Mauger, chief transformation officer and acting president of the food solutions group at St. Louis-based Bunge. “We are pleased that the margarines and spreads business will be able to further develop under new ownership.”

Family-owned Vandemoortele noted that the acquisition will expand its already strong presence in Europe’s margarines and plant-based oils and fats market segments, as well as help further the European food sector’s transition to more sustainable and flavorful plant-based foods.

“We aspire to be a frontrunner in the plant-based food transition, not only in the core categories of margarine and plant-based oils and fats, but also in the growth categories of sauces, vinaigrettes and dressings, vegetable creams and plant-based cheese,” said Jean Vandemoortele, chairman.

Generating revenue of more than €450 million, the Bunge margarines and spreads business employs over 800 people and operates production plants in Germany, Poland and Finland, according to Vandemoortele. The acquisition transaction is expected to close in 2026, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, the companies said.

“This acquisition offers an interesting geographic complementarity,” said Yvon Guerin, chief executive officer of Vandemoortele. “We already serve a strong customer base in Western and Southern Europe with high-quality and innovative plant-based products. Now we can expand our presence in Central Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, too.”

Commercial distribution of Bunge’s European margarines and spreads also dovetails with that of Vandemoortele, covering retail (business-to-consumer) and foodservice and industry (business-to-business) channels.

“I am convinced that this transaction will allow us to bring even more and stronger innovations across all channels in Europe and will allow us to better serve our international customer base,” said Bart Bruyneel, managing director of plant-based food solutions for Vandemoortele. “Bunge’s European margarines and spreads business has a proven track record of delivering innovative branded products in B2C, recently exemplified by their plant butter platform. We are historically strong in enabling B2B customers with differentiating solutions.”