Israeli food maker Osem Investments has announced it is to buy UK food distributor Yarden GB for £1.9 million.
Osem, which is IsraelÔÇÖs biggest maker of instant soups and salads, will buy Essex-based Yarden, a leading distributor of kosher food, as part of its strategy to expand its footprint into the UK and overseas.
The company will pay an additional sum for YardenÔÇÖs inventory.
Osem is 54 per cent owned by Swiss firm Nestl├®, the worldÔÇÖs largest food company.
The firm has recently been pursuing expansion into the US. In 2008 it purchased salad maker Tribe Mediterranean Foods for $57 million and early this year it bought meat substitute manufacturer FoodTech for $10 million.
Yarden, whose revenue in 2008 totalled £7 million, counts retail giants Tesco and J Sainsbury amongst its customers.
Yarden will be integrated in Osem UK, Osem said in a statement.
 
*       *       *
