French food conglomerate Danone is in discussions to double its stake in Indian Greek yogurt and fruit dessert brand Epigamia from 30% to 60%. This move involves acquiring the 30% share currently held by Belgian private equity firm Verlinvest. Both Danone and Verlinvest presently hold approximately 30% each in Epigamia’s parent company, Drums Food International.
The negotiations are in exploratory stages, with no definitive decision on whether Verlinvest will fully divest or partially dilute its stake. Notably, other potential investors have shown interest in Verlinvest’s share, which could lead to competitive bidding and influence the final valuation. As of December 2023, Epigamia was valued at ₹1,250 crore.
Epigamia has attracted investments from various high-profile individuals and entities, including KA Enterprises (backed by actress Deepika Padukone), actor John Abraham, Cipla’s Samina Vaziralli, Kanwaljit Singh of Fireside Ventures, and Manu Chandra of Sauce VC. The brand is recognized for its range of dairy-based products and has a strong presence in urban markets.
Industry Insight:
Danone’s potential increase in stake underscores the growing importance of India’s health and wellness food segment. For dairy industry stakeholders, this move highlights the strategic value of urban-centric, health-focused dairy brands in the evolving consumer landscape.
Source : Dairynews7x7 May 13th 2025 The Economic Times