Aug 24 (Reuters) - Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) is close to

a roughly $18-billion deal to buy Dutch coffee company JDE

Peet's, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday,

citing people familiar with the matter.

After combining, the companies are planning to separate the

beverage and coffee units, the report said.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Keurig Dr

Pepper ( KDP ) and JDE Peet's did not immediately respond to requests

for comment.

JDE Peet's, known for its L'Or, Tassimo and Douwe Egberts

brands, has a market valuation of about $15 billion, while

Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) is valued at nearly $50 billion, according to

LSEG data.

JDE Peet's lifted its annual forecasts last month after

reporting consensus-beating half-year adjusted operating

earnings of 709 million euros ($831.09 million), thanks to sales

growth that defied already-high coffee prices.

Last year, Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) bought a 60% stake in

energy-drink maker Ghost for $990 million, planning to purchase

the rest in 2028, to spruce up its refreshment beverages

portfolio.

($1 = 0.8531 euros)