Crunchies dried blueberries

Crunchies specialises in freeze-dried fruit and veg snacks

UK-based food group Chaucer has agreed to buy a controlling stake in US health snack specialist Crunchies Food Company.

Chaucer has bought 65% of Crunchies, which sells freeze-dried fruit and vegetable snacks through US retailers including Walmart, Costco and Whole Foods.

Chaucer said the investment give it “a strong platform from which to expand in the rapidly growing US and global freeze dried market”. Crunchies is the leading brand in freeze-dried snacking in the US by sales, according to Nielsen data.

Andy Ducker, CEO of Chaucer, said the deal “illustrates Chaucer’s wider corporate strategy to become a truly global, market-leading specialist food ingredient and consumer products producer”.

“We are confident that with our operational expertise and investment, the already successful Crunchies brand will develop to its full potential in the US and maximize its opportunities in the growing freeze-dried markets. In addition, the combination of the Crunchies and Chaucer companies will provide Chaucer with increased visibility and exposure to customers and suppliers in the North American markets.”  

Crunchies was established in 2005 and is currently experiencing double-digit annual sales growth. Chaucer said the investment would provide Crunchies with access to its own global reach and marketing power to continue its rapid growth.

Chaucer sells food ingredients and products to companies including Kellogg’s, Nestlé, Starbucks, Unilever, General Mills, Weetabix and PepsiCo in over 30 countries across the world.