FDBusiness.com

Private equity firm PAI Partners is reported to be considering the sale of its 50% stake in French yoghurt producer Yoplait. With sales of Eur3.8b and a gross operating profit of Eur120m in 2009, Yoplait is valued at Eur1-1.2b.Yoplait is sold worldwide through a franchise network.

Speculation is also rife that French dairy co-operative Sodiaal, which owns the other half of Yolait, may sell part of its shareholding in order to reduce debt following its recent acquisition of Entremont, the French cheese producer.

A sale of Yoplait is likely to attract the interest of global food processors such as Nestle, Arla Foods and General Mills, which operates the Yoplait franchise in the US, along with a number of private equity companies.