Jerusalem, Nov 16 - Israeli conglomerate Africa Israel Investments Ltd. and investment group Mivtach Shamir Holdings Ltd said on Thursday they had each put in bids for Israeli food and dairy group Tnuva.
Israel's largest food company, Tnuva is a cooperative owned by various kibbutzim, or collective farms and has said it is seeking bids of no less than $800 million.
According to Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth daily, the three other groups that bid on Tnuva were businessman Egal Ahouvi and First International Bank of Israel , which seek 20 percent and 80 percent respectively; private equity firm Apax Partners [APAX.UL]; and private equity fund Markstone Capital Group together with Deutsche Bank .
In a statement to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, Africa Israel said its bid for Tnuva was for 51 to 100 percent.
Separately, Mivtach Shamir said it would hold 50 percent in a group bidding for at least 51 percent of Tnuva.
Mivtach did not specify its partners, but Yedioth said it was Merrill Lynch .
The bids are subject to approval by both Tnuva as well as regulatory and judicial authorities.