Yoghurt brand Yoplait UK saw a 7.5% drop in sales in the run up to its sale back to Sodiaal amid a “challenging” period for the brand.

Yoplait’s UK sales fell back to £90m from £96.7m in the year to 30 May 2021 in “an extremely competitive environment” and a “challenging period” for the brand.

Operating profits also fell 17% from £13.7m to £11.3m, reflecting the fall in headline sales.

Yoplait said the results reflected its planned divestment “of our adult portfolio in order to focus on our kids’ business”.

“These brands continue to perform strongly and will be supported by an exciting pipeline of activity this year,” a spokeswoman said.

The accounts encompass the period in which US food group General Mills agreed to sell its European holding in Yoplait to French dairy co-operative Sodiaal. 

General Mills entered an agreement with Sodiaal in March 2021 to sell back its 51% controlling stake to the business, in exchange for full ownership of the Canadain Yoplait business and a right to distribute the Yoplait and Liberté brands across all of North America on a royalty-free basis.

General Mills previously picked up the 51% stake in Yoplait from Sodiaal back in 2011, for a reported €800m. 

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