Unilever has announced that it has received a binding offer from Vivera to acquire The Vegetarian Butcher.
The Vegetarian Butcher brand was bought by Unilever in 2018 from founder Jaap Korteweg and is now available in more than 55 markets globally - both in retail and in foodservice.
Unilever stated that it was “looking to sharpen its portfolio” for long-term growth and scalability, focusing on fewer, bigger brands. It also highlighted a need for a “distinct supply chain and sourcing model”, which makes The Vegetarian Butcher “less scalable” within the broader Unilever Foods portfolio.
The company went on to say that The Vegetarian Butcher’s set of technological and R&D capabilities “differ significantly” from the requirements of the wider Unilever portfolio, labelling the sale of the brand as the “best option” for Unilever and The Vegetarian Butcher.
Heiko Schipper, president of Unilever Foods, said: “I believe that The Vegetarian Butcher is poised for even greater success in the next phase of its journey under new ownership that is dedicated to plant-based meat replacements. This focused expertise will support the brand in its ambitious goal to become the Biggest Butcher of the World.”
According to Unilever, completion is expected by Q3 2025.
