US confectioner Hershey has been linked to a possible takeover of protein snack group Krave.

According to Reuters, the Kisses maker is in late-stage negotiations to buy the jerky manufacturer. A spokesperson for Hershey declined to be drawn on the rumours while Krave did not respond to requests for comment.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Krave manufactures beef, turkey and pork jerky. Meat snacks are witnessing growth in the US as a consequence of rising consumer demand for protein. Krave claims to take a “culinary approach” to a traditionally “low-brow” snack. Estimates value the firm in the US$200-300m range.

Hershey has previously stated M&A will contribute to its growth strategy. In December, Hershey entered into an agreement to acquire Canada’s Allan Candy. In September, the company finalised a deal announced in December 2013 to buy 80% of Chinese confectioner Shanghai Golden Monkey. 

A spokesperson for Hershey said: “We have stated that M&A would be part of our growth path over the next few years. And our company key strategies for the past few years include growing beyond confection into the broader spectrum of snacking and adjacencies.”

For more on Krave, check out our top picks from the recent Natural Products Expo East where we flagged the meat snack maker as one to watch.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact