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Lactalis expands dairy portfolio with acquisition of Leerdammer and Shostka brands

Oct 4, 2021Oct 4, 2021 Editor

EUROPE – French dairy business Lactalis has completed the acquisition of European dairy brands Royal Bel Leerdammer NL, Bel Italia, Bel Deutschland, Leerdammer and all related rights from multinational cheese marketer Bel Group. Lactalis said that the transaction, which involves Bel Shostka Ukraine, fits perfectly with its strategic priorities, which focus on top-quality product development. Leerdammer, one of Europe’s most iconic cheese brands, will now become part of Lactalis which aims to continue developing the brand and boost its international business. “By acquiring Leerdammer and Shostka, we have now completed our offering with a range of food brands that consumers know…

Lactalis sells leading US feta cheese brand Athenos to Emmi Roth

Sep 5, 2021Sep 5, 2021 Editor

USA – Lactalis Group, the world’s largest dairy company, is selling its US feta cheese manufacturer Athenos to Emmi Roth USA, a business unit of the Emmi Roth Group. Athenos has an extensive presence in the US retail and foodservice sectors and generated approximately US$90 million in sales in 2020. Lactalis Group acquired the Athenos business as well as several other cheese brands this past September from the Kraft Heinz Co. in a US$3.2 billion transaction. Antitrust regulators in the United States raised concerns about some aspects of the…

Lactalis, Nestlé, Dairy Farmers America Top Rabobank’s Global Dairy Top 20 list

Aug 27, 2021Aug 27, 2021 Editor

NETHERLANDS – Rabobank of the Netherlands has released its annual Global Dairy Top 20 Report, ranking Lactalis, Nestlé, and Dairy Farmers America as the world’s top three dairy companies. For the first time in a decade, French dairy cooperative Lactalis outpaced industry titan Nestlé to clinch the top spot in the prestigious ranking by the Dutch multinational banking and financial services company. Lactalis was a surprise winner as it was ninth place in 2000, with a turnover of 4.8bn, and today boasts of being the world’s largest dairy position, with a turnover…

Lactalis outpaces Nestlé as world’s largest dairy company

Aug 26, 2021Aug 26, 2021 Editor

GLOBAL – French multinational dairy products corporation Lactalis has outpaced long-time industry giant Nestlé as the world’s biggest dairy player, according to new Rabobank analysis. Lactalis’ growth has been attributed to the company’s recent attention to organic growth, as well as its dedicated global M&A strategy. These two factors propelled the French dairy company from ninth place in 2000 to a dominating lead position in 2021. Lactalis owns such brands as Président, Galbani, Parmalat, Karoun, Rondele, Black Diamond, Stonyfield Organic and Siggi’s. Organic and Siggi’s were American yogurt companies acquired late 2017 and early 2018, respectively. …

Lactalis India hopeful of sales recovery post-pandemic, targets revenues of US$602m in FY21-22

Jul 9, 2021Jul 11, 2021 Editor

INDIA – Lactalis India, a subsidiary of French firm Groupe Lactalis, is eyeing a turnover of Rs 4,500 crore (about US$602.7 million) in the 2021/22 financial year, betting heightened sales of the recently launched Lactel brand. Speaking to the press, Lactalis India managing director Rahul Kumar noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted the dairy business in India leading to depressed sales. As a result, the Lactalis India MD noted that for the FY2020/21, the dairy company expected revenues to be close to Rs 3,500 crore (US$468.78 million). “For 2021-22, we…

Third triumph for Woolworths Mature Gouda by Lactalis as South African Dairy Product of the Year

Mar 31, 2021Mar 31, 2021 Editor

SOUTH AFRICA – Lactalis South Africa’s 10-months Mature Gouda, made especially for Woolworths, was crowned the South African Dairy Product of the Year at the South African Dairy Awards. This is the third time in a row that this particular product from Lactalis has scooped the Dairy Product of the Year accolade, an unrivalled achievement for the SA Dairy Championships, now in its 188th year of existence. The Gouda, an aromatic and full-flavoured cheese, was one of almost 900 dairy products from 68 producers that vied for the attention of…

Lactalis eyes acquisition of Dutch cheese brand Leerdammer to boost European presence

Mar 22, 2021Mar 22, 2021 Editor

ITALY – French multinational dairy products corporation, Lactalis has entered into exclusive negotiations with Bel Group to acquire its Dutch cheese brand Leerdammer, as part of efforts to bosst its European presence. Apart from the Leedammer brand, FoodBev reported that the two companies have signed unilateral promises which will see Lactalis acquire also acquire Royal Bel Leerdammer, Bel Shostka Ukraine, and its businesses in Italy and Germany. Under the terms of the deal, Bel subsidiary Sicopa will sell the aforementioned assets in exchange for Lactalis’ 23.16% equity stake in Bel.…

Lactalis Ingredients launches nutritional solution for healthy ageing

Feb 19, 2021Feb 19, 2021 Editor

FRANCE – Lactalis Ingredients, a division of French multinational dairy products corporation Lactalis, has expanded its Pronativ native whey protein range with a new micellar casein isolate targeted at consumers who are proactive about healthy ageing. The company says the new Pronativ Native Micellar Casein contains 88% protein and is suitable for food and beverage enrichment, in particular as a nutritional solution for healthy ageing and medical applications. With its new ingredient, Lactalis aims to meet the rising demand for functional products among an ageing population, as well as younger…

French multinational dairy Lactalis acquires Canadian yogurt maker Ultima Foods

Dec 18, 2020Dec 18, 2020 Editor

CANADA – Lactalis Canada- a subsidiary of French multinational dairy products corporation, Groupe Lactalis- has agreed to acquire all issued shares of Canadian yogurt maker Ultima Foods. Until it is acquired by Lactalis, Ultima Foods remains a subsidiary of Agropur’s – a leading Canadian dairy cooperative. The proposed deal includes the Iögo and Iögo Nanö yogurt brands, and the Olympic yogurt, sour cream and kefir brand. Commenting on the development, Mark Taylor, president and CEO of Lactalis Canada. Said: “this transaction will reinforce Lactalis Canada’s position in the dairy…

Lactis launches fortified milk brand in India to respond to nutrition focus by consumers during Covid-19

Nov 24, 2020Nov 24, 2020 Editor

INDIA – Leading multinational dairy products corporation Groupe Lactalis has launched its popular milk brand Lactel in Indian market in an effort to tap into corona virus induced demand for milk products. The fortified milk brand is targeted at consumers in the country who are seeking more nutritious food and beverage products as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Groupe Lactis first entered the Indian market in 2014, and has grown its footprint in the country through an aggressive acquisition strategy, beginning with its acquisition of local dairy company Tirumala.…