Lactalis expands in South America with Granja Pocha acquisition

USA – Lactalis has announced its plans to acquire Uruguayan dairy company Granja Pocha, marking a strategic expansion of its presence in South America. 

The French dairy giant will take full ownership of the family-run business, which is known for producing cheese and yogurt under the Colonial brand. 

According to a report by industry sources, the acquisition will allow Lactalis to process an additional 60 million liters of milk into dairy products, further strengthening its existing operations in Uruguay, which already include cheese, fluid milk, and milk powder. 

The deal is still subject to approval by Uruguay’s competition authority, and financial details have not been disclosed.  

Meanwhile, Fonterra has introduced financial incentives aimed at rewarding farmers who meet strict emissions-related criteria. 

The initiative, supported by investments from Nestlé and Mars, will provide funding in two areas: on-farm solutions to enhance efficiency and sustainability, and an emissions incentive payment for top-performing farms. 

Farmers who achieve the lowest emissions will receive an additional 10 to 25 cents per kilogram of milk solids produced.

 “This initiative recognizes and rewards farmers who are taking measurable steps to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining productivity,” a Fonterra representative reported.  

In another development, Arla Foods has reported strong financial results in its 2024 performance report, with revenue reaching €13.8 billion (US$14.4 billion) and a net profit of €401 million (US$418.8 million). 

Growth was driven by increased demand for its Arla and Lurpak brands, as well as a boost in consumer purchasing power across Europe. 

The company forecasts revenues between €14.5 billion (US$15.2 billion) and €15.3 billion (US$16 billion) this year but expects challenges due to high dairy prices. 

“We are committed to maintaining strong brand performance despite market pressures,” an Arla spokesperson said.  

Additionally, dsm-firmenich’s latest mycotoxin survey has raised concerns over a rising trend in mycotoxin contamination in animal feed. 

The 2024 report indicates an increase in all six major mycotoxins compared to the previous year, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and multi-strategy risk management to ensure food safety and agricultural productivity. 

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