General Mills (GIS.N) is set to pay 800 million euros ($1.12 billion) for half the Yoplait yoghurt brand, allowing the company to settle a management dispute and pursue emerging markets growth. Private equity fund PAI Partners and French dairy co-operative Sodiaal said on Friday they were in exclusive talks with the U.S. maker of Haagen-Dazs ice cream and Cheerios cereals, paving the way for a sale and confirming what sources told Reuters on Thursday. The news that General Mills has won the bidding for Yoplait caps months of tense and highly political negotiations involving members of the French government and the influential agricultural lobby, sources familiar with the deal said.
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