Mumbai: Snacks and beverage giant PepsiCo is close to acquiring 76 per cent stake in Russia's largest juice maker, OAO Lebedyansky for up to $2 billion, the Kommersant business daily said in a report.

PepsiCo is in final negotiations over the purchase, the largest ever in the global juice industry, Kommersant reported citing industry and investment bank sources.

"They have virtually agreed. The deal should be announced in September or October," the paper quoted a source as saying.

Kommersant cited unidentified banking sources and a manager in Lebedyansky as saying that the US-based beverage and snack maker was in discussions to buy more than 76 per cent in the company from its founders for more than $1.5 billion.

The deal for Lebedyansky, whose brands include Ya and Tonus, could be tied up in September or October, the paper said

Lebedyansky is majority owned by Russian parliamentarian Nikolai Bortsov and his son Yury, and has a market capitalisation of nearly $2 billion.

PepsiCo began operations in Russia in 1974, and employs about 20,000 people in the country, according to the company's website. Currently PepsiCo produces only its Tropicana brand in Russia, at Lebedyansky rival Nidan.