Athira Sethu
Kochi, 18 March 2026
Varun Beverages (VBL), a major player in the global beverage industry, made waves on March 18, 2026, with a significant announcement. The company revealed that its South African subsidiary, Bevco, will acquire Crickley Dairy Proprietary Ltd for ₹131.47 crore. This acquisition forms part of VBL’s strategy to diversify its product range, adding value-added dairy and juice-based drinks to its portfolio.
Acquisition Details:
| Detail | Information |
| Acquiring Entity | Bevco (South African subsidiary of VBL) |
| Acquired Entity | Crickley Dairy Proprietary Ltd |
| Amount of Acquisition | ₹131.47 crore |
| Date of Agreement | March 17, 2026 |
| Parent of Acquired Entity | Clark Holdings Proprietary Ltd (parent company of Crickley Dairy) |
| Approval Requirement | Subject to regulatory and other approvals, including from the Competition Commission of South Africa |
Strategic Impact of the Acquisition:
| Objective | Impact |
| Product Diversification | Expands into value-added dairy and juice-based drinks |
| Market Reach | Strengthens VBL’s position in the South African market |
| Operational Synergies | Potential for improved operational efficiency and product innovation |
Recent Business Developments:
| Date | Event |
| Dec 2025 | Varun Beverages to acquire South Africa-based Twizza through Bevco |
| Mar 2024 | VBL acquires The Beverage Company and BevCo, expanding presence in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Madagascar |
