McCormick buys Unilever's food business in deal that values it at nearly $45 billion

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNBC

Published Tue, Mar 31 2026 8:07 AM EDT Updated 2 Min Ago


McCormick will buy Unilever’s food business for a combination of cash and equity, in a deal that values the Unilever unit at nearly $45 billion, the two food companies announced.

To buy most of Unilever Foods’ portfolio, including Hellmann’s mayo and U.K. favorite Marmite, McCormick will pay $15.7 billion in cash, and Unilever and its shareholders will own 65% of the combined company.

The deal will add billions of dollars in annual sales for McCormick and expand the spice giant’s portfolio further into spreads and condiments. It already owns Frank’s RedHot and Cholula hot sauces.

For Unilever, divesting much of its food business allows the company to focus on its personal care segment, which is growing faster. In December, Unilever spun off its ice cream business, now trading separately as Magnum Ice Cream Company

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/31/mccormick-buys-unilever-food-business.html

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Surprising as I figured it would be the other way around. But looks like Unilever is becoming the "un-big".

[3Hotdogs]

1. This will surely help Trump lower our grocery prices.

Note that I used a new, three syllable word in the title sentence: grocery.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Wow Unilver REALLY wanted to off-load snacks and food

Last edited Tue Mar 31, 2026, 10:29 AM - Edit history (1)

Now all the food will be priced like McCormick's spices.

[QueerDuck]

3. Yes... their prices are outrageous. I'll always buy the generic or store brand spices when available.

The exceptions are Bay Leaves (which the store brands should be labeled as "crumbled bay leaves'') and ... of course OLD BAY SEASONING. The knock-offs are sub par... so I just get the jumbo size at Costco and refill my small shakers as needed.

[Zackzzzz]

4. I worked in billing for McCormick-Schilling.

The company would use store brands for the same spices.
And I would prefer 10 perfect bay leaves to the jar of crumbles.
I use a tea ball for the crumbles.

[QueerDuck]

5. A tea ball!! That's a great idea! (Checking Amazon now!) 👍️

[2na fisherman]

6. Food Monopolies

With all the M&A going on in agribusiness, pretty soon there will only be one or two providers in this sector. And they will raise prices at will. Continued weakening and lack of enforcement of antitrust laws will allow this to get worse. And supply chain issues will be a source of scarcity creating additional price hikes. And there is little recourse for consumers other than skipping meals.