03/07/09 Unilever announced that it had closed its deal to acquire the sauces business of Baltimor Holding ZAO, the leading ketchup business in Russia, following approval from the Federal Antimonopoly Service. The acquisition will further strengthen Unilever's existing dressings portfolio and competitive position in Russia, one of its priority countries.

The acquisition includes ketchup, mayonnaise and tomato paste business under the Baltimor, Pomo d' Oro and Vostochniy Gourmand brands - accounting for annual turnover of around €70 million - and a production facility at Kolpino, near St. Petersburg. It excludes Baltimor's branded vegetables, condiment, preserve and juices business and production facilities at Krasnodar and Khabarovsk.

The acquisition consideration was made on a cash- and debt-free basis and was not material to Unilever overall.