Who still buys packaged salads from national brands? There are fewer and fewer consumers, according to French vegetable champion Bonduelle.
The group announced on Thursday that it wanted to sell its loss-making bagged salad business in France and Germany, allowing it to concentrate on its fresh catering offering.
The French specialist in processed vegetables has informed its employees of its intention to close the Saint Mihiel plant in the Meuse department (159 people), for which it is “first looking for a buyer” and “at the same time is starting a social dialogue to support each individual,” the group’s communications director, Céline Barral, told AFP.
In addition, “exclusive negotiations” have been initiated with Les Crudettes of the LSDH group for the resumption of packaged salad activity in France, and with Taylor Farms in Germany, the company added in a statement.
15% drop in seven years
The Bonduelle companies in the United States and Italy are exempt from these projects, which will allow the group to “accelerate its activities in the fresh, canned and frozen food market” in Europe, the statement said.
Sales of Bonduelle’s bagged salads, launched in 1997, have been in decline for years, with an estimated drop of 15% over the past seven years, according to group figures.
Bonduelle, headed by Xavier Unkovic since June 2023, saw its turnover fall by 1.4% to €2.37 billion over the full year 2023-2024, ending on June 30 without achieving its annual sales target.
Source: BFM TV
