Bonduelle, the vegetable specialist brand, wants to sell its bagged salad business in France and Germany

The turnover of Bonduelle's bagged salads, launched in 1997, has been declining for years (illustration). MAXPPP – Bruno Levesque

Bonduelle announced this Thursday, August 29, 2024, that it wants to sell its loss-making bagged salad business in France and Germany, which will allow the group to focus on its fresh catering offerings.

The French specialist in processed vegetables has informed its employees of its plan to close the Saint Mihiel site in the Meuse department (159 people) for which "it is first looking for a buyer", and "is simultaneously initiating social dialogue to support each individual", the group's communications director, Céline Barral, told AFP.

"Around forty employees" are also affected by a voluntary departure plan at the headquarters of Bonduelle Frais, which brings together the bagged salad activities and catering, a booming segment, she added.

"An exclusive negotiation"

In addition,“an exclusive negotiation” has been launched with Les Crudettes of the LSDH group for the takeover of the bagged salad business in France, and with Taylor Farms in Germany, the company added in a press release.

Bonduelle's entities in the United States and Italy are spared from these projects intended to allow the group “the acceleration of its activities in the fresh catering, canning and frozen food markets” in Europe, justifies the press release.

The turnover of Bonduelle's bagged salads, launched in 1997, has been declining for years, with an estimated drop of 15% over the last seven years, according to group figures.

“We eat differently”

“Before, salad was eaten as a starter, today, we eat differently. There is also the factor of inflation and purchasing power that affects this sector, and finally, the exacerbated competition from distributor brands”, explained Ms. Barral.

Bonduelle, headed by Xavier Unkovic since June 2023, saw its turnover fall by 1.4% to 2.37 billion euros over the entire staggered year 2023-2024, which ended on June 30 without reaching its annual sales target.