French multinational food company Danone said Thursday it reached a deal to acquire organic food manufacturer WhiteWave Food Co. for $12.5 billion, growing its hold on the U.S. market .
Danone says the it will pay $56.25 per share for the company, approximately 24 percent over WhiteWave’s average stock price during the last month. The all-cash transaction includes debt and other liabilities. Danone expects to close on the deal by the end of the year.