Kerry group expands US portfolio

Kerry Group announced today it has bought two US based beverage companies for a total of $95m (€77m).

Oregon Chai is the leading US branded supplier of natural Chai Tea Lattes and Chai Tea Latte mixes, concentrates and ready-to-drink products.

Extreme Foods develops and markets branded ready-to-use ice blended flavored drinks for the US food service industry. The Las Vegas based company produces ice-blended fruit smoothies and coffee frappes marketed under the JetTea and JetCafe brand names.

"The acquisition of Oregon Chai and Extreme Foods complement the group's acquisitions of Stearns and Lehman and Da Vinci Gourmet in fast growing segments

of the US branded beverage foodservice and natural foods sectors, said chief executive Hugh Friel.