Campbell Soup Unloads Australian Mushroom Business

Campbell Soup Company (Camden. NJ) will sell its Australian fresh mushroom operations to Chiquita Brands South Pacific. The sale, which is subject to a number of conditions, is part of Campbell's plan to divest non-strategic businesses and concentrate on soup and sauces, biscuits and confectionery and foodservice.

Campbell previously divested Marie's salad dressings, Beeck gourmet salads in Germany, BOAS gourmet foods in the Netherlands and Spring Valley beverages in Australia. Last month, Campbell completed the spinoff of Vlasic Foods International. Today's announcement does not impact Vlasic Foods International's fresh mushroom business in the U.S.

Chiquita Brands South Pacific Ltd. is one of Australia's largest horticultural companies, with operations that include investments in banana, berry and other fruit and vegetable categories complemented with a nation-wide distribution network.

Edited by Pam Ahlberg