Bharti Enterprises Limited is looking to exit Del Monte Foods (Bharti Del Monte India Private Limited), its 50:50 joint venture with Singapore-listed packaged foods company Del Monte Pacific Limited (SGX:D03), executives in direct knowledge of the development said. The JV was set up to sell juice fruit drinks, olive oil, pasta, mayonnaise, ketchup and dried and canned fruits in India. "Bharti group has mandated bankers to identify potential buyers to sell its stake in Del Monte Foods.

Foods is a non-core business for Bharti, which wants to focus on its core businesses such as telecom and broadband under Airtel," one of the executives mentioned above said. Emails sent to offices of Bharti Group and Del Monte Pacific remained unanswered till press time February 28, 2024. Bharti Enterprises and global investment group E.L. Rothschild had formed an equal joint venture, FieldFresh Foods, in 2004, to produce and export fresh vegetables and fruits.

Three years later, in 2007, the Singapore-listed Del Monte Pacific Ltd. acquired 40.1% stake in FieldFresh Foods for $20.8 million. Bharti continued to hold 50% in the company, with Rothschild staying in the company as a minority partner.