China’s $57 Billion Food Giant Said to Seek Revamp Pitches

People visit a COFCO stand during an exhibition in Tianjin, China.

Photographer: Wei ta/AP Photo
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Cofco Corp., China’s largest food company, has invited investment banks to submit proposals for a possible group restructuring, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The Beijing-based firm, which controls eight listed companies, will consider combining units and selling peripheral businesses to improve profitability, according to the people. Possibilities that may be proposed include Cofco’s cooking-oil producer China Foods Ltd. divesting its confectionery business or merging with a sister company such as oilseed processor China Agri-Industries Holdings Ltd., they said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.