The Beverage Company Proprietary Limited (Bevco), a subsidiary of Varun Beverages Limited, has signed an agreement to acquire 100% equity in Crickley Dairy Proprietary Limited, a leading dairy producer in South Africa. The deal, executed on 17 March 2026, is subject to regulatory approvals, including clearance from the Competition Commission of South Africa.
Brandspur Brand News Desk reports that the acquisition will see Bevco take full ownership of Crickley Dairy at an enterprise value of ZAR 238 million (US$14.3 million), marking a strategic expansion into value-added dairy and juice-based beverages.
Varun Beverages stated that the move aligns with its broader strategy to diversify its product portfolio and strengthen its presence in key African markets. The company confirmed that it currently holds no stake in Crickley and that neither Clark Holdings Proprietary Limited nor Crickley is related to its promoter group, ensuring the transaction does not qualify as a related-party deal.
Founded in 1984 by Ken Clark, Crickley Dairy has established a strong footprint in South Africa’s Eastern Cape region, producing high-quality dairy products. This acquisition follows Varun Beverages’ earlier strategic moves, including the full acquisition of South Africa-based Twizza in December 2025 and the purchase of The Beverage Company in March 2024, which included Bevco and its subsidiaries.
The company highlighted that these acquisitions have consolidated its presence across South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, while also expanding distribution rights into Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Varun Beverages also anticipates long-term growth from emerging segments such as snacks and beer, alongside expansion plans in Kenya and other African markets.
For the quarter ended December 2025, Varun Beverages reported a 33% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 260 crore (US$31.3 million), supported by a 10% growth in international volumes, driven largely by performance in South Africa.
The company said the acquisition of Crickley Dairy further strengthens its value-added beverage strategy and reinforces its commitment to sustainable growth across Africa.
