Unilever sells Ben & Jerry’s ice cream business in Israel to Avi Zinger

Unilever has agreed to sell its Ben & Jerry’s ice cream business in Israel to Avi Zinger for an undisclosed price.

Avi Zinger is the Israel-based licensee of Ben & Jerry’s as well as the owner of American Quality Products Ltd (AQP).

According to Unilever, the new arrangement enables Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to be sold under both Hebrew and Arabic names in Israel and the West Bank under the full ownership of Avi Zinger.

As per the terms of the agreement signed by Unilever in 2000 to acquire Ben & Jerry’s, the ice cream company and its independent board were given rights to make decisions about its social mission. Unilever had the main responsibility for financial and operational decisions and has therefore is entitled to enter into the arrangement with Avi Zinger.

Unilever sells Ben & Jerry’s ice cream business in Israel to Avi Zinger. Photo courtesy of Anton Porsche/Wikimedia Commons.

Unilever said that the new business arrangement comes after a review by the group of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream business in Israel after the brand and its independent Board announced in 2021 its decision to stop sales of its products in the West Bank.

In a statement, Unilever, said: “Unilever has used the opportunity of the past year to listen to perspectives on this complex and sensitive matter and believes this is the best outcome for Ben & Jerry’s in Israel. The review included extensive consultation over several months, including with the Israeli Government.”