Lactalis boosts Brazil operations with US$55.3M investment 

BRAZIL – French dairy giant Lactalis has announced a US$55.3 million investment to expand its dairy production facilities in Brazil’s Paraná state. 

The announcement comes as the company celebrates ten years of operations in the South American nation. 

Lactalis stated that the investment is aimed at strengthening its leadership in Brazil’s milk supply chain, a move it described as both robust and responsible.

The funds will support the addition of a new UHT milk production line at the company’s Londrina plant. 

At the same time, the Carambeí facility will see an expansion to increase production of yogurts, fermented milk, dairy beverages, and desserts. 

According to a statement from Lactalis, these projects were sealed through agreements with the Paraná state government on March 18 during a ceremony in Curitiba. Governor Ratinho Júnior and Lactalis’ Brazil CEO, Roosevelt Junior, were present at the event.

Roosevelt Junior emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to the region, saying, “Over the past decade, Lactalis has invested more than 710 million reais in Paraná alone.” 

The company operates three plants in the state, including the largest in Carambeí, which employs 830 people directly. The Londrina facility has 280 workers, while Pato Branco employs 36. 

This investment follows other recent moves by Lactalis in Brazil. 

A report by the company in November detailed a 250 million reais plan to upgrade seven factories in Minas Gerais. 

Earlier this month, it also committed 100 million reais to enhance five plants in Rio Grande do Sul. Beyond production, Lactalis runs logistics operations in Contagem and an administrative office in Belo Horizonte, employing over 3,600 people across the country.

Founded in 1933 in Laval, France, Lactalis is known for brands like Batavo, Président, and Elegê. Its growth in South America extends beyond Brazil. 

Last month, the company revealed plans to acquire Granja Pocha, a Uruguayan firm producing cheese and yogurt under the Colonial brand at its Juan Lacaze facility.

“Lactalis is dedicated to meeting the growing demand for dairy products across the region.”