Boise, ID and Nieuwkerke, BE — The J.R. Simplot Company, a privately held food and agriculture business based in Boise, Idaho, has announced its intention to acquire the operating business of Clarebout Potatoes, a Belgium-based potato processing company. The planned acquisition brings together two producers in the global frozen potato market. The transaction is expected to close in 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
According to Simplot, the move will strengthen its position in the European market and combine assets across 23 production facilities to support a wider global customer base. Clarebout Potatoes will retain and potentially expand its staff and production sites in Europe under the agreement. Both companies are family-owned and have previously operated independently in their respective regions.
Clarebout CEO Jan Clarebout stated that while the company could have continued independently, current economic conditions and shared goals prompted the decision to merge. The agreement is positioned as a step toward long-term operational continuity in a changing global agricultural landscape.
BofA Securities served as the exclusive financial advisor to Simplot, with legal counsel provided by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Loyens & Loeff BV/SRL. Clarebout was advised by Lazard as exclusive financial advisor and Eubelius as legal counsel.
For more information:
Josh Jordan
The J.R. Simplot Company
Tel: +1 208 780 7228
www.simplot.com
