Paulig acquires Conimex brand from Unilever

Unilever has announced the sale of the Dutch brand Conimex to Paulig. The offer from the Finnish food producer aligns with Unilever’s strategic decision to focus on fewer, larger brands with global scalability. Conimex, the market leader in Asian products, has strong roots in the Netherlands but limited international growth, partly due to a unique production chain outside Unilever’s own facilities. The sale is expected to be completed by April 2025.

Strengthening Paulig’s position

Founded in 1932, Conimex has played a significant role in making Asian flavours accessible to Dutch households. “Conimex is a well-loved brand and has added tremendous value to Unilever and its consumers,” said Robbert de Vreede, General Manager Foods Europe at Unilever. For Paulig, the acquisition is a logical step. CEO Rolf Ladau emphasised that the company aims to strengthen its position in the Asian food category in the Netherlands and make it easier for consumers to prepare Asian dishes at home.

Transition to Paulig

Paulig, known for its focus on World Foods, sees opportunities to further develop the Conimex range. Leveraging its R&D expertise and production capabilities, Paulig plans to expand the brand across Europe. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The transaction remains subject to the usual conditions and regulatory approvals.