Grupo Bimbo and Flowers Foods are said to be among early bidders for Canada Bread, the bakery business majority-owned by Canadian food group Maple Leaf Foods.

Bloomberg has reported Mexican giant Bimbo and US firm Flowers had made offers for Canada Bread. Maple Leaf said last month it would look at options for its 90% stake in Canada Bread.

When contacted by just-food, Bimbo declined to comment. Officials at Flowers could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.

A spokesperson for Maple Leaf said: “We don’t comment on speculation in the market.”

Bloomberg also claimed “several” private-equity firms had bid for Canada Bread, although it did not name the suitors.