Swiss dairy company Emmi has agreed to purchase dessert manufacturer Italian Fresh Foods (IFF) for an undisclosed amount.

Subject to approval by the concerned competition authorities, the purchase is expected to bolster Emmi’s position in the dessert segment, reinforce its expertise in the market, and allow it to use IFFs state-of-the-art technologies.

"The product portfolio suits Emmi extremely well and strengthens a segment that is strategically important for the company.”

In 2012 and 2013, Emmi respectively acquired dessert producers A-27 and Rachelli, which reportedly enabled the company to hold a significant market share in the Italian speciality desserts segment.

Emmi CEO Urs Riedener said: “Italian Fresh Foods is an agile, innovative manufacturer of high-quality Italian desserts.

"The product portfolio suits Emmi extremely well and strengthens a segment that is strategically important for the company.”

based in Lasnigo, Como, IFF also offers its products to the Netherlands, US and Canada, wher Emmi has so far had little presence in desserts.

IFF founder and CEO Flavio Pok will continue with the company to apply his skills to develop the company.