One of Denmark’s leading coffee businesses, Merrild Kaffe, which is owned by the Dutch D.E. Masterblenders group, has been purchased by Lavazza, which is Italy’s leading coffee producer.

Last spring, D.E. Masterblenders entered into an agreement with the Mondelez coffee division about merging under the name of Jacobs Douwe Egberts. As a condition for the approval of the merger, the European Commission required that both businesses divested some of their brands. For D.E. Masterblenders, this meant Merrild Kaffe.

The acquisition of Merrild Kaffe is one step on the way when it comes to Lavazza’s strategy to grow in Europe. Lavazza’s ambition is to continue the growth of the international business, and the long-term ambition is for 70 per cent of the turnover to come from the international market. Lavazza is expected to carry on the brand, so the transaction will not affect the consumers, who will still be able to buy Merrild Kaffe.

Lavazza has been in business since 1895 and holds more than 47 per cent of the total value of the Italian retail market for coffee.

Merrild was established in 1960 and is one of Denmark’s leading businesses within coffee and hot drinks solutions. It focuses on machines, service and products and is a full-line supplier to both private and public businesses.

The transaction is conditional upon the approval of the European Commission.

Bruun & Hjejle acted as legal adviser to Lavazza.