The French food and drinks company Groupe Danone may take control of the Russian beverage producer Wimm-Bill-Dann by the end of this month, the UK’s Financial Times reported today.


The news report citied people close to the negotiations and said that Danone is considering buying out the controlling shareholders WBD, which is currently valued at US900m.


Danone already holds 7% of WBD.


The FT said that after at least one year Danone may consider selling off the Russian group’s juice and bottled water divisions to contenders such as PepsiCo Inc, Coca-Cola Co or Nestle AG while keeping the dairy products business.


WBD and Danone both refused to comment.

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