Greencore Group

The McCann family, members of which control Ireland-based fresh produce companies Fyffes and Total Produce, has reportedly divested its entire shareholding in Greencore, a leading convenience foods producer based in Dublin.

According to a report in the Irish Independent newspaper, as of 16 September the McCann dynasty's investment vehicle Balkan Investment Company is listed as holding no shares in Greencore, which last week revealed it had received a takeover bid.

In a statement, the board of Greencore noted recent movement in the company's share price and confirmed it had received an approach 'which may or may not lead to an offer for the company'.

'The board would like to emphasise that the discussions are at a preliminary stage and there can be no certainty whether any offer will be forthcoming,' it added.

Balkan had previously been a shareholder in Greencore for 'more than 20 years', the newspaper noted.