CANADA – Lactalis Canada, a subsidiary of France-based Lactalis Group, has expanded its robust portfolio by the addition of specialty brand Khaas which include Khaas Halal and Khaas Dahi.
The Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro, and Lactantia, becomes the only national dairy leader in ethnic yogurt.
Taking into account cultural diets and restrictions, the company noted that Khaas Halal yogourt products are 100% certified Halal by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of Canada and Khaas Dahi yogourt products are 100% vegetarian.
Both Khaas brands are also free of gelatin and artificial preservatives. The Khaas plain yogurt products are said to offer a mild and creamy taste and texture, perfect on their own or as a curdle-free cooking ingredient in authentic recipes, both savory and sweet.
Adrienne Pagot-Gérault, General Manager, Yogourt & Cultured Division at Lactalis Canada said: “Lactalis Canada is thrilled to introduce this new and authentic product line for an important and growing South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African population in Canada which makes up approximately 10% of the market.”
“We encourage all consumers to experience these new lines of cultured products as we pride ourselves on bringing the same quality and craftsmanship from Lactalis Canada’s iconic brands such as Astro, Olympic, Siggi’s, and IÖGO to Khaas Halal and Khaas Dahi so that more Canadians can enjoy the authentic tastes of home.”
According to Fortune Business Insight, the global ethnic food market is projected to grow from US$49.27 billion in 2021 to US$98.06 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 10.33% in the forecast period, 2021-2028.
To grow its market in South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African regions, Lactalis Canada plans to expand its ethnic dairy portfolio soon with even more specialty product offerings, including the cheese category.
Khaas Halal and Dahi yogourt products are sold at major retailers and ethnic grocery stores across Canada in the following varieties and formats: 0%, 2%, and 3% milk fat in both 750g tubs and 2kg pouches.
Elsewhere, small dairy cooperatives are organizing against the giant Lactalis after it acquired Verdannet manufacturers, a cheese maker from Haute-Savoie, and also a major manufacturer of Reblochon.
Verdannet manufactures the milk of the latter various raw milk kinds of cheese, including Reblochon representing half of its production, and is a major player in local protected designations of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indications (PGI), collaborator of several cooperatives.
The acquisition seen as a “betrayal” by the local milk producers united in cooperatives, strengthens Lactalis’ position on the market and would allow it to “control nearly 50% of Reblochon AOP production”, according to the Confédération paysanne.
All the cooperatives which were in contract with Verdannet met the director of the Federation of dairy Cooperative, explains Jean-François Laval.
A farmer member of the Confédération paysanne commented that “If we miss, the next cheesemaker bought, Lactalis will become the leader and it will be the end of the Savoyard system, signaling ongoing exchanges with neighboring cooperatives to study alternative solutions” and avoid collaboration with Lactalis.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro-industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
