The Ferrero Group said Thursday it will pay $23 for each Kellogg share, or approximately $3.1 billion. The transaction includes WK Kellogg Co.’s six manufacturing plants, and the marketing and distribution of its breakfast cereals across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

The Italian candy company Ferrero plans to buy the American cereal maker Kellogg for $3.1 billion, the companies announced Thursday. The deal would unite the makers of household brands including Nutella and Frosted Flakes. American cereal giant Kellogg and Italian candy giant Ferrero have struck a sweet deal worth $3.1 billion.

Michigan's WK Kellogg Co., the cereal giant, is set to be acquired by the Italian candymaker behind Ferrero Rocher in a nearly $3 billion deal, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. A deal with parent Ferrero SpA, the maker of Butterfinger candy bars and Nutella hazelnut spread, could be finalized as soon as this week, according to reports.