Feast or Famine: Inside the Food Industry's Mergers and Acquisitions Rollercoaster of 2024

Food and Beverage M&A Landscape: A Dynamic Year of Strategic Transactions
In a remarkable display of strategic growth and market consolidation, the food and beverage industry experienced a significant surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) during 2024. The sector witnessed an impressive total deal volume reaching $149.9 billion, signaling robust economic activity and strategic repositioning among industry players.
This comprehensive analysis, sponsored by CohnReznick, reveals a vibrant landscape of corporate transactions that reshaped the food and beverage marketplace. The heightened M&A activity reflects companies' aggressive strategies to expand market share, diversify product portfolios, and respond to evolving consumer preferences.
Key highlights of the year included a higher number of closed deals compared to previous periods, demonstrating increased confidence and strategic intent within the industry. Businesses across various segments—from artisanal food producers to large-scale beverage manufacturers—participated in this dynamic transactional environment.
The substantial deal volume underscores the industry's resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing global market, with companies leveraging mergers and acquisitions as critical tools for growth, innovation, and competitive positioning.