Agropur sells “fine cheese” business to Lactalis

Canadian dairy cooperative Agropur has agreed to merchantability its "fine cheese" concern to the section portion of French radical Lactalis.

The transaction includes the Quebec-made brands Oka, Monsieur Gustav and L'Extra on with the Oka and Saint‑Hyacinthe accumulation facilities successful the province.

Agropur volition besides divest its good food import activities arsenic portion of the deal, Lactalis said successful its statement.

In a abstracted release, Agropur said the determination is portion of an ongoing program to "simplify and optimise its operations" and enactment its "long‑term competitiveness".

The cooperative added that it intends to absorption connected operations that make the "greatest value" for its husbandman members. This includes accumulation of fluid milk, concern cheese, food and dairy ingredients.

Agropur said that its good food concern was "profitable". However, the portion represented "only a tiny portion" of its operations. The concern confirmed separately to Just Food that the portion accounts for astir 2% of consolidated revenue.

The Quebec-based cooperative specialises successful mozzarella, provolone, cheddar and feta, supplying the retail, foodservice and concern sectors.

Agropur volition person 26 plants pursuing the transaction with Lactalis. It said it expects the transaction to go effectual "in a fewer months".

Lactalis said the summation of Agropur brands "enhance" its specialty and halfway food portfolio.

Around 400 employees volition articulation the French dairy giant's Canadian limb arsenic a effect of the transaction, it added.

Lactalis Group president Emmanuel Besnier said: "This acquisition represents a large accidental for Lactalis to physique connected flagship Quebec brands and outstanding cheesemaking expertise.

"It strengthens our presumption successful the Canadian marketplace and supports our ambition to supply consumers with healthy, high-quality dairy products, driven by excellence and innovation."

The woody follows Lactalis' €9m ($10.5m) concern successful a dairy-desserts manufacturing tract successful Czechia earlier this month. The diary elephantine besides snapped up UK-based concern Protein Works successful June.

"Agropur sells "fine cheese" concern to Lactalis" was primitively created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.