Italian coffee firm Lavazza has made an offer to buy Carte Noire, the French brand from Douwe Egberts, subject to approval from the French authorities and the European Commission.
No figures have been disclosed regarding the deal, however sources say that it may be worth around EU800 million (£550 million), making France the Italian coffee company’s second largest market and trebling Lavazza’s turnover there.
The offer will see Lavazza control the Carte Noire business in most of Europe, however this doesn’t include Carte Noire instant coffee, but does include ground coffee, in-home roast and filter pads.
If the deal is successful, the Italian coffee firm will take over Carte Noire’s Laverune factory in Languedoc-Roussillon.
