Adani Wilmar eyes acquisitions to push food business

Adani Wilmar Ltd., the kitchen essentials firm owned by Gautam Adani, is scouting for local and overseas acquisition targets as Asia's richest man doubles down on boosting his empire's food operations weeks after Reliance Industries Ltd. announced plans to launch a consumer goods business.

The company has earmarked 5 billion rupees ($62.9 million) from its initial public offering for purchases, Mallick said. 

Additional funding will come from internal accruals and the 30 billion rupees of planned capital expenditure for next year starting April, he said. 

The food company's shares have more than tripled since its $486 million debut in February.

Conglomerates such as Adani Group and billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries are trying to grab a share of India's food production industry which is pegged at $400 billion, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.

Adani Wilmar recently acquired several brands, including the Kohinoor cooking brand from McCormick Switzerland for an undisclosed amount.

The acquisition gave Adani Wilmar exclusive rights over Kohinoor's basmati rice and ready-to-cook, ready-to-eat curries and meals in India.

The Adani Group Has been on a tear buying some 32 companies in the past year, valued at about $17 billion, many outside its core coal- and infrastructure-related businesses.

Richest Asian Is Also Busiest Dealmaker With a $17 Billion Spree