Orkla Snacks acquires European Candy Group to expand BUBS vegan candy across Europe

Orkla Snacks has agreed to acquire Dutch confectionery manufacturer The European Candy Group B.V. (CCI) in a deal valued at €207 million (approximately US$242 million) as the Nordic food company moved to increase production capacity and accelerate the international expansion of its fast-growing BUBS candy brand.

• Orkla Snacks agreed to acquire The European Candy Group B.V. for an enterprise value of €207 million (approximately US$242 million) on a cash- and debt-free basis.
• The acquisition added four confectionery production facilities in the Netherlands and Germany to support growing demand for BUBS vegan candy across Europe.
• CCI was expected to generate approximately €110 million (around US$129 million) in revenue and adjusted EBITDA of approximately €21 million (around US$25 million) during 2026.

The acquisition will see Orkla Snacks take ownership of one of Europe's largest producers of vegan sugar confectionery, strengthening manufacturing capacity as demand for BUBS products continues to grow both in its home Nordic markets and internationally.

Under the plans, Orkla Snacks will continue operating CCI's existing private-label confectionery business while gradually increasing production of BUBS products for export markets where demand has continued to rise.

CCI has supplied selected BUBS confectionery products since 2025, making the acquisition a natural extension of an existing commercial relationship.

The Netherlands-based manufacturer operates four production facilities, including three in the Netherlands and one in Germany. The business was being sold by funds managed by Bencis Capital Partners together with CCI management shareholders.

For 2026, CCI was expected to generate revenue of approximately €110 million (around US$129 million) and adjusted EBITDA of approximately €21 million (around US$25 million).

Ingvill T. Berg, CEO of Orkla Snacks, said: "CCI is a natural strategic fit for Orkla Snacks. The company brings unique expertise in the sugar confectionery market and a broad customer network spanning several European countries. The proposed acquisition will strengthen Orkla Snacks' position in Europe and enable BUBS to expand its offering into new markets."

The transaction remained subject to customary regulatory approvals and, as required under Dutch law, consultation with the company's works council. Completion was expected toward the end of the third quarter of 2026 or early in the fourth quarter.

CCI, which is headquartered in Drachten, the Netherlands, manufactures private-label confectionery, sweets, licorice and sugar-free products for food retailers, non-drug retailers and online retailers across Europe. In 2025, the company reported revenue of approximately €94 million (around US$110 million) and employed just over 300 people.

Orkla Snacks is a leading supplier of confectionery, biscuits and savory snacks across the Nordic and Baltic regions. Its portfolio includes a range of established regional brands and it ranks among the largest portfolio companies within Orkla ASA. In 2025, Orkla Snacks reported turnover of NOK10.5 billion (approximately US$1.05 billion).

Parent company Orkla ASA is an industrial investment company focused on branded consumer businesses through 10 portfolio companies. Headquartered in Oslo and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the group reported turnover of NOK71.5 billion in 2025 (approximately US$7.15 billion).

If you liked this, check these out...

• Biosphere bolsters biomanufacturing ambitions with NovoNutrients acquisition

• Nexus Agriscience deepens molecular farming push with Biotech Institute IP acquisition

• Tetra Pak deepens push into New Food with acquisition of Bioreactors.net