The West Flanders-based potato processing company, Clarebout Potatoes, is reportedly close to forming a partnership with US multinational J.R. Simplot, according to De Standaard.
A multibillion-dollar deal is being discussed, although it is unclear whether it will involve a sale or a partnership.
The newspaper reports that CEO Jan Clarebout has spent the past six months in talks with investment funds about selling a stake in the company, and is now considering J.R. Simplot.
J.R. Simplot currently has no presence in Europe, while Clarebout lacks a factory in the United States. The transaction has yet to be officially announced, but it has been talked about in West Flanders for several weeks, De Standaard reported.
Clarebout Potatoes ranks third in the global market for frozen potato products.

