BRAZIL = French dairy giant Lactalis has announced a substantial investment of US$41.7 million to enhance its operations in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.
According to a report by the state government, the investment aims to modernize, expand, and optimize Lactalis’ seven industrial units in the region by 2026.
This latest initiative will bring the company’s total investments in Minas Gerais to 736 million reais since 2020.
Lactalis operates factories in Antônio Carlos, Guanhães, Pará de Minas, Pouso Alto, Sabará, Sete Lagoas, and Uberlândia.
Additionally, the company manages logistics units in Contagem and an administrative office in Belo Horizonte.
Currently, Lactalis provides 3,654 direct jobs in the state and plans to increase this number from 2025 onward.
The company sources almost all its milk from the Central Cooperative of Rural Producers through a long-term agreement.
This partnership is designed to stimulate local milk production and strengthen local producers, thereby improving both productivity and quality.
The government statement noted that this initiative supports sustainability and economic development in the region.
Invest Minas, the state’s investment promotion agency, has been instrumental in supporting Lactalis’ endeavors.
João Paulo Braga, CEO of Invest Minas, highlighted the significance of this investment, stating: “Since 2020, the group has driven the modernization of its units, consolidating the state as a hub in dairy production.”
“This new investment reinforces the industrial capacity of Minas, while promoting technological innovation and sustainability in the sector.”
Lactalis is also negotiating a new “protocol of intent” to formalize investments and adjust tax treatments in the state.
This move is expected to further solidify the company’s long-term commitment to the region and enhance its competitive positioning in Brazil’s dairy market.
The Minas Gerais government, through Sede-MG and Invest Minas, has actively supported these initiatives.
In March, Lactalis announced a US$16.7 million reais investment in Rio Grande do Sul, targeting its five factories in Teutônia, Tapera, Três de Maio, Santa Rosa, and Ijuí.
Since 2015, the company has invested 452 million reais in expanding its operations in that state, reflecting its broader commitment to the Brazilian dairy sector.
Founded in 1933 and headquartered in Laval, France, Lactalis is a global leader in dairy production, with well-known brands such as Batavo, Président, and Elegê.
Earlier this month, the company also announced plans to increase feta cheese production in the U.S. to meet growing consumer demand, further highlighting its global expansion strategy.
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