FDBusiness.com

Unilever has expanded its refreshment portfolio with the acquisition of Pukka Herbs, the organic herbal tea business, for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2001 by Tim Westwell and Sebastian Pole, the pioneering British brand has a turnover of over £30 million and growth of around 30%. It is also growing rapidly across Europe and the US.

According to Euromonitor 2016, Pukka is the fastest growing organic tea company in the world. The herbal, fruit and green tea market is currently worth €1.6 billion which trends suggest will become even more prominent globally in the future.

Kevin Havelock, president of Unilever’s Refreshment Category, comments: “Pukka has strong values and a clear purpose that aligns fully with our own sustainable growth model. There’s a clear strategic, philosophical and cultural fit for us. Both of us believe in business being a force for good in society.”

He adds: “The acquisition strengthens our tea business, addressing a gap in our portfolio. Pukka is a premium player in the natural, organic, health and wellness segment which is fast-growing, attractive and scalable. We look forward to bringing Pukka to even more consumers.”