Unilever is reportedly exploring the sale of The Vegetarian Butcher as part of its plan to streamline its large portfolio of brands. The British consumer goods giant, which is the sixth largest in the world, is working with an investment bank to auction off the plant-based meat brand based in the Netherlands. Despite Unilever's goal of increasing sales from plant-based products, the company's CEO has expressed interest in focusing on international megabrands like Hellman's.

The Vegetarian Butcher, founded in 2007 by former animal farmer Jaap Korteweg and politician Niko Koffeman, was purchased by Unilever in 2019. The brand has shown strong sales growth and is available in over 40,000 retail locations across 55 countries. While the valuation of the potential sale is unclear, several buyers have reportedly been approached. This move is part of Unilever's larger strategy to prioritize its most profitable brands.