2025 a very busy year for dairy companies on the global stage

Mergers, acquisitions, expansions, executive hires and other important news highlighted in USDEC's year-end review. 

Across the international dairy sector, business activity has been brisk throughout the year, as one can see from the U.S. Dairy Export Council's Year-End Dairy Company News Review. 

We started this review with items from the January 10 edition of our weekly, members-only newsletter, Global Dairy eBrief, and ended with news from the December 19 edition.

This is a fast-paced yet lengthy review. We put company names in bold for easy scanning and searching. One way to find a collection of items pertaining to a particular company is to copy and paste this blog post into a Word document and then use the search function. 

The news items are presented in month-by-month chronological order.   

After France-based dairy giant Danone submitted two unsuccessful offers to acquire Illinois-based kefir and probiotic products manufacturer Lifeway Foods, Danone said it now plans to file a lawsuit accusing Lifeway of breaching its fiduciary duties to shareholders by allowing its CEO to “engage in self-dealing waste and value destruction.” Danone said Lifeway’s decision to award CEO Julie Smolyansky nearly 300,000 shares of Lifeway stock violates an agreement dating back to 1999, when Danone made its first investment in Lifeway, that requires Danone’s consent before making such a move. In a company statement, Lifeway said the company rejected Danone's acquisition offers because they severely undervalue the company, and that the 1999 stockholders’ agreement between the two companies violates Illinois law and should be nullified. Lifeway also said it is not opposed to a sale at a price that more accurately reflects its true value. (Company reports; Food Dive, 1/6/25)

New York-based Avance Investment Management and Florida-based AUA Private Equity Partners LLC announced a significant investment in Tropical Cheese Industries LLC, a New Jersey-based producer of Hispanic cheese, meat and other food products. A company statement said the founding Mendez family and the management team of Tropical Cheese will retain a significant minority interest in the company. … Chinese dairy manufacturer Junlebao Group and beverage franchise chain Mixue announced a deal to build a dairy farm in an effort to jointly expand their reach, drive product innovation and improve their supply chains. The farm will reportedly hold 8,000 Holstein dairy cows and is expected to start operations in June. (USDEC China Office; Company reports; Beijing News Media, 12/19/24)

Canadian dairy company Saputo announced that COO Frank Guido has stepped down from his role for personal reasons. In the interim, President and CEO Carl Colizza will assume the duties of COO in addition to his current responsibilities. … Wisconsin-based dairy co-op Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery announced the appointment of Kevin Pieh to CEO effective Dec. 18, 2024. Pieh was elevated from his role as interim CEO, which he assumed in September 2024 after serving as CFO since 2022. Prior to joining Ellsworth Creamery, he held leadership positions with Land O’Lakes in the Dairy Foods, Corporate Finance, and Truterra divisions. … Domino’s Pizza announced it reached 1,000 operating outlets in China in November and that it plans to open 300 to 350 outlets annually in the coming two years. It currently operates in 33 Chinese cities. … After three consecutive quarters of declining customer traffic, Minneapolis-based ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs said it will accelerate its pace of shutting down poor-performing physical stores in China and shift efforts to retail and catering to boost profits. The company, which owned 402 outlets in 90 cities in China as of mid-December, will reportedly focus more on ice cream cones and seek new online retail channels, such as social media retail via TikTok or Red Note. (USDEC China Office; Company reports)

Brazilian dairy processor Pirancanjuba Group is building a new R$612 million (about US$101 million) multi-use dairy plant in São Jorge d’Oeste, Paraná state. The plant will produce up to 39,400 MT of mozzarella, 7,900 MT of butter, 6,000 MT of whey protein and 14,800 MT of lactose annually, the company says. Originally proposed in 2018, the plant has since grown in scope and cost. Pirancanjuba expects to begin operations by the end of 2025. (Valor International, 1/14/25)

Following a “comprehensive strategic review of its manufacturing footprint,” UK-based Ornua Ingredients Europe (OIE) announced a proposal to close its Ledbury cheese manufacturing and cut-and-wrap facility. The site, which produces natural and processed cheeses for the food manufacturing, foodservice and global quick service restaurants sectors, has six production lines. If the proposal proceeds, the facility is expected to close at the end of June, and the majority of production will be transferred to OIE’s sites in Nantwich, Cheshire and Avila, Spain. (Agriland, 1/8/25)

French dairy company Lactalis has reportedly decided to close a factory in Zambia and begin exporting products from South Africa into Zambia. According to a Zambian government official, the company said the decision was prompted by market dynamics and influenced by new players in the milk industry. The switch to an import model is expected to take place in April. (Just Food, 1/10/25)

Yum Brands terminated its franchisee IS Gida, which operated more than 500 Pizza Hut and KFC stores in Turkey, for “failure to meet Yum Brands standards.” Yum expects the stores to close “at least temporarily.” .... French biotech company Standing Ovation, which specializes in precision fermentation applied to dairy proteins, announced a long-term strategic partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE) to produce fermentation-enabled caseins designed to deliver traditional dairy proteins’ functional properties at AFE’s biomanufacturing plant in Nesle, France. (Food Ingredients First, 1/9/25; Restaurant Business, 1/8/25)

Wisconsin Whey Protein announced that it is building a new whey protein isolate (WPI) plant at its Darlington, Wisconsin, facility, which currently produces barrel cheese, WPC80 and lactose. The company said the expansion will meet the growing demand for WPI that’s being driven by healthy lifestyle trends and consumer use of GLP-1 drugs. The plant is expected to open in early 2026 and enable the company to produce nearly 6,000 MT of WPI per year. (Dairy Processing, 1/16/2025)

Minnesota-based cheese cooperative Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) said final steps are underway in restoring full operations at its cheese processing and packaging plant in Portage, Wis., after suffering damage from a fire in January 2023. A company spokesman said the rebuild plan “better utilizes space within the building, focusing on those products in demand and incorporating new capabilities to innovate and grow with our customers.” (Company reports)

As part of the ongoing restructuring of its global operations, Canadian dairy company Saputo Inc. has proposed closing its Kirkby Malzeard, North Yorkshire, cheese facility. The company’s UK division said it is discussing the closure with employees of the plant, which produces the wensleydale. If the closure proceeds, it’s expected to happen in July of this year and production will shift to Saputo’s dairy factory in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, where the company said a “major investment” has recently been completed. (Just Food, 1/16/25)

Germany-based dairy company Hochland Group and Belgian-Dutch precision fermentation startup Those Vegan Cowboys announced an agreement to explore the production of animal-free cheese using microbial casein. The partnership will focus on the use of the startup’s precision fermentation casein in semi-hard and hard cheese varieties. (FoodBev Media, 1/22/25)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz presented Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) with the Governor’s International Trade Award at an event held Jan. 24 in Bloomington, Minn. The award recognizes companies that have shown exceptional progress and results in foreign markets. Two of AMPI's seven manufacturing facilities and one-third of its employees are based in Minnesota. “This award fuels our momentum to continue building strong international partnerships,” said AMPI Sales Director Tony Busch, who accepted on behalf of the co-op.

Recent dairy-related acquisitions highlight company efforts to increase global or national footprints. Here are some of the latest deals:

• London-based private equity group InvestIndustrial agreed to acquire a majority stake in Spanish ice cream producer Grupo Alacant, which operates four manufacturing plants in Spain and focuses primarily on private-label ice cream for retail clients and co-manufacturing for branded ice cream companies. The move is designed to strengthen Grupo Alacant’s position in Spain and accelerate its international expansion strategy through both organic growth and acquisitions.
• To expand its presence into Eastern India, Chennai, India-based dairy company Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. (HAP) acquired Odisha, India’s Milk Mantra Dairy and its Milky Moo brand for Rs 233 crore (about US$27 million). The companies said the acquisition will strengthen HAP's presence in the Eastern Indian dairy market by enabling it to have a “sizeable market share, wide distribution and procurement network and two strategically located processing facilities” in Odisha in addition to the Milky Moo brand’s strong market presence.
• In a move to expand its portfolio into the better-for-you category in the U.S., Luxembourg-based packaged food company Ferrero Group agreed to acquire protein snack company Power Crunch from Bio-Nutritional Research Group. (Power Crunch products use dairy protein to provide their protein content.) Under the terms of the deal, which is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, Ferrero will take over Bio-Nutritional Research Group’s office site in Los Angeles, and its 50 employees will join Ferrero Group North America. (Company reports; FoodBev Media, 1/27/25; Business Standard, 1/28/25)

Scotland-based dairy cooperative First Milk and Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK announced a four-year partnership to promote regenerative dairy farming practices in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The initiative will involve up to 30 dairy farmers and will mainly adopt regenerative farming practices like rotational grazing, increasing sward grassland diversity, and enhancing rooting depth. These methods are intended to improve soil structure, allowing for better water infiltration, promoting the soil's ability to retain water, and fostering biodiversity. The project aims to capture up to an additional 250 million liters of groundwater per year. (FoodBev Media, 1/28/25)

As part of its sustainability efforts, New Zealand-based dairy cooperative Fonterra said it will make NZ$150 million in investments (about US$85 million) in electrification projects across the North Island over the next 18 months. The initiatives announced include the installation of two electrode boilers at its Whareroa sites; transitioning the Edgecumbe site from the use of steam and electricity generated through a co-generation plant to a new electrode boiler; installing two resistive element boilers at Waitoa and Waitoa UHT; and a pilot of six EV tankers and associated infrastructure later this year. (Company reports)

Italian dairy and dairy-alternative manufacturer Granarolo Group is investing £10 million (about US$12 million) to build a new head office and distribution center for Granarolo UK and Midland Chilled Foods in Willenhall, England. The facility will also contain an innovation center and test kitchen for presentations and customer collaboration. … As part of its mission to “support organic family farmers and promote sustainable agriculture,” Wisconsin-based dairy cooperative Organic Valley entered the plant-based category with the launch of a line of oat-based creamers. Oats for the creamers, which are available in four flavors, are sourced directly from the co-op’s family farm partners. … In an announcement ahead of its Feb. 26 annual report release, Swiss dairy Group Emmi Group revealed that it recorded “good, volume-driven organic growth” of 2.4% in FY2024, a number the company says exceeded its own guidance of between 1% and 2%. … Famous Brands International, owner of frozen-yogurt retailer TCBY, signed a franchise deal with Sterling Restaurants (a subsidiary of Al Muftah Group) to open 10 TCBY stores in Qatar over the next five years and possibly bring the Mrs. Field’s chain to the country as well. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Company reports; Dairy Reporter, 1/27/25; FoodManufacture.co.uk, 1/6/25)

Swiss food giant Nestlé announced plans to invest $1 billion in its Mexico operations between 2025 and 2027, to expand production capacity across its four plants in the country. The expansion will take place at Nestlé’s plants in Estado de México, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and Veracruz. The investment includes the development of a new distribution center in an effort to position Nestlé Mexico as an export hub. Nestlé also opened a $675-million beverage factory and distribution center in Glendale, Arizona. That facility will produce creamers for several brands including Coffee Mate, Starbucks and Natural Bliss, with the potential to expand to other beverages in the future. The company said the investment was made in an effort to meet increasing consumer demand and preferences for refrigerated creamers. (FoodBev Media, 2/3/25)

French dairy cooperative Sodiaal said it will close its cheese production site in Malestroit, France, in 2028 or 2029. Production from the plant will be transferred to its facility in Montauban-de-Bretagne, a move the company said will help “optimize its industrial facilities” in response to increased competition in the emmentaler market. (FoodBev Media, 2/5/25)

After a tumultuous 2024 that saw the New Zealand-based dairy processor in a major partnership dispute and facing the threat of insolvency (see Global Dairy eBrief, 8/23/24 and 8/30/24), Synlait Milk announced that its business recovery plan is “on track.” In a statement providing financial guidance for the six months ended Jan. 31, 2025, Acting CEO Tim Carter said the company expects to return to profitability at its upcoming half-year result, with an expected EBITDA for the period to be around NZ$60 million (about US$34 million). The company attributed the improved performance to growth in its Advanced Nutrition products, strong performance in its Ingredients business and continued cost-control measures. Synlait also said it earmarked additional milk premiums for the next three seasons to all South Island farmers committed to a future with Synlait without a cease notice in place. The company will release its HY25 result on March 24. (Company reports)

Finnish dairy manufacturer Valio and Swedish precision fermentation startup Melt&Marble announced a partnership to create “next-generation” food products. Melt&Marble uses precision fermentation technology to create animal-free ‘designer fat’ ingredients that can be used in a variety of food product applications. (Company reports)

China will remain a key focus for expansion of U.S. fast food chain McDonald’s in 2025. The company stated that while global same-store sales in Q4 2024 increased 0.4% YOY, same-store sales in China in Q4 grew 4.1% YOY. Of the 2,200 new restaurants the company plans to open in 2025, 1,000 are expected to open in China. The total number of McDonald’s restaurants in China was 6,820 as the end of 2024. This year in China, McDonald’s plans to launch a Year of Value promotion that includes upgrading coupons and discounts while leveling up membership marketing to let consumers feel cost-effective throughout the entire year. McDonald's 2024 consolidated revenue was US$25.92 billion, up 2% year-over-year, while net income was US$8.22 billion, down 3% year-over-year. (USDEC China Office; Company reports)

In its Q4 and full-year 2024 results report, Kentucky-based Yum! Brands said revenues increased 7% in 2024 over the previous year, and net income dropped 7% for the same period. The company opened 4,535 new stores across more than 100 countries. In FY 2024, Yum’s KFC division saw positive system sales growth in China (6%), Latin America (15%), Africa (11%) and Thailand (6%), while systems sales declined in Asia (-5%), the Middle East (-2%). For the same period, the company’s Pizza Hut markets saw system sales grow in China (3%), stay even in Latin America and the Middle East, and dip in Asia (-3%). In China, specifically, Yum China reported that total 2024 revenue reached US$11.3 billion, an increase of 5% YOY without currency exchange influence, and it had achieved eight consecutive quarters of same-store transaction growth. The total number of outlets in the country grew to 16,395 in 2024, including KFC, with 11,648 outlets and system sales growth of 6% YOY; K-coffee café, which grew to 700 outlets and increased sales roughly 30% YOY; and Pizza Hut, which reached 3,724 outlets in 2024 and posted a system sales increase of 6% YOY. Looking ahead, Yum China said it will focus on opening more franchise stores, with roughly 40-50% of KFCs and 20-30% of franchised Pizza Huts, and an overall goal to reach 20,000 outlets in 2026. (USDEC China Office; Company reports)

Months after announcing the separation of its ice cream business from its other divisions, London-based consumer goods giant Unilever announced it would close its ice cream factory in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. The company said it will move operations from that site to other facilities including its Betty Ice factory in Suceava, Romania, which it says is significantly larger and more technologically advanced. The shift is expected to be complete by April of this year. Separately, Unilever opted for Amsterdam over London or New York as the primary listing for its de-merged ice cream operation. (Reuters, 2/13/25; Romania Insider, 1/31/25)

In a move to reinforce its supply chain resilience, Edeka, Germany’s largest supermarket chain, announced the acquisition of dairy manufacturer Uckermärker Milch. The independent dairy already supplies quark, butter and milk powder to Edeka, and the acquisition reflects the trend of retailers purchasing food production assets in an effort to gain more control over supply and pricing in an unpredictable market. The acquisition is expected to be complete on March 1, and the new entity will operate under the name EMP Milchof Prenzlau GmbH. (Top Agrar, 2/5/25; Nordkurier, 2/11/25)

Chinese dairy manufacturers Feihe and Beijing Milkyway have joined together to form a new joint venture called Qiqihar Yinhe Dairy to manufacture milk beverages. Feihe will hold a 51% stake in the new unit. … As part of previously announced plans to separate its Animal Nutrition & Health business from the parent group, Dutch-Swiss company DSM-Firmenich announced the sale of its stake in Feed Enzymes Alliance to its equal partner Novonesis for €1.5 billion (about US$1.6 billion). The divesture is expected to be complete sometime this year. (Company reports; USDEC China office)

Fonterra Co-operative Group is spending NZ$22 million (about US$12 million) to expand cream production at its Waitoa, North Island, UHT operation. The project will add up to 30,000 MT of additional UHT cream capacity for foodservice, with a focus on China. … China’s Yili Group opened a tea beverage manufacturing line at its Huanggang, Hubei, dairy processing plant. The facility mainly makes yogurt, sterilized milk and milk beverages. The tea operation replaces one of the yogurt lines and is expected to generate sales of more than $25 million per year. … Netherlands-based FrieslandCampina Ingredients received approval for its milk fat globule membrane ingredient, Vivinal MFGM, for use in infant formulas and other food products in Thailand. The ingredient is a whey protein concentrate obtained from unpasteurized cheese whey. … Sweden-based dairy alternatives manufacturer Oatly said it will discontinue the building of a second processing plant in China because it has “determined that the production capabilities” at its existing manufacturing site in Ma’anshan “will be sufficient to support current customers and business growth.” … Moroccan dairy processor Copag-Jaouda rolled out what it says is Morocco’s first entirely homegrown line of plant-based milk alternatives under the name Nabatlé. (Company reports; USDEC China office; USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Farmers Weekly, 2/13/25; Just Food, 2/12/25)

Algerian-government-owned dairy processor Giplait opened a major new dairy processing facility in the Rouiba industrial zone as part of ongoing plans to boost local capacity and reduce reliance on imports. The 5-billion-dinar facility (about US$37 million) can reportedly produce up to 1 million liters of subsidized pasteurized milk and 400,000 liters of UHT milk per day. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; The Maghred Times, 2/16/25)

Fonterra Co-operative Group is moving ahead on its plans to divest its Consumer business and integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka. The co-op may divest via a sale or an IPO, choices it expects to continue to explore in the weeks ahead. In preparation for an IPO, Fonterra unveiled a new corporate identity and executive leadership for the consumer-facing businesses. The new company would be known as Mainland Group. René Dedoncker will lead Mainland as CEO-elect, with Paul Victor as CFO. Separately, Fonterra provided an update on the $75-million project to transform its Studholme, South Island, site into a hub for high-value advanced proteins. Fonterra said the site is on track for its first advanced proteins to come off the line in 2026. (Company reports)

Colombia’s Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) has sanctioned four of the country’s main dairy processors for allegedly adding whey to sterilized milk and presenting it as whole milk. The SIC imposed a fine of more than $21 billion pesos (about US$5 million) on Lactalis, Gloria, Hacienda San Mateo and Sabanalac, claiming the companies engaged in unfair competition by reducing costs without lowering the price of their products or informing consumers about the composition of their milk. Lactalis Colombia publicly rejected the decision, issuing a statement that its milk has not been adulterated and that the sanction has no legal basis. It pledged to defend its position in court. (La Republica, 2/12/25)

In its fiscal 2024 annual results, FrieslandCampina reported revenue dropped 1.1% from the previous year, but operating profit jumped to €527 million (about US$551 million), up from €75 million (about US$78 million) in 2023. Jan Derck van Karnebeek, CEO of the Dutch dairy co-op, said last year had been a “year of transformation.” Thanks to a combination of cost reductions, an improved performance by its business groups and higher commodity dairy prices, co-op members would receive an “extra reward”—a supplementary cash payment of €1.21 per 100kg of milk. He also noted that the proposed merger between FrieslandCampina and Milcobel (finalization expected by the end of 2025) will reinforce its international market position. Looking ahead, FrieslandCampina said it expects to achieve additional cost reductions in 2025 that will be used to offset inflation, facilitate growth and support the company’s profitability. Investments in 2025 will be below 2024 levels due to the completion of large projects last year. (Company reports)

In its 2024 full-year report, Swiss food giant Nestlé saw revenues drop 1.8% and net profit decrease 2.9%. Despite an increase in invested capital in the Milk Products and Ice Cream segment, 2024 sales in that segment dropped roughly 5% from the previous year. CEO Laurent Freixe said the performance was solid and in line with the company’s latest guidance “in a challenging macroeconomic context and soft consumer environment.” Looking to 2025, he said that increasing investment to drive growth is central to the company’s plan, and it is creating the fuel for these growth investments through a new CHF2.5 billion (about US$2.8 billion) three-year cost savings program. (Company reports)

The Brazilian state of São Paulo and the French Embassy launched a collaboration that aims to establish between five and 10 cheese production schools in Brazil. Through the partnership, which kicked off with a January workshop that brought together representatives from both organizations, cheese producers will receive training from government technicians in partnership with French specialists. A São Paulo government official said the goal of the initiative is to cover all regions in the state with cheese production training units to drive diversity and quality. (Dairy Global, 2/11/25)

Restaurant Brands International paid a reported US$158 million to acquire most of the outstanding shares of Burger King China. The company now has nearly full-ownership of the business, which includes almost 1,500 Chinese Burger King outlets. The company said it is looking for a new partner in the market amid a tough competition and softer demand. … In a move to expand its local market position, French dairy company Lactalis said it plans to buy Granja Pocha, a Uruguay-based dairy company that produces cheese and yogurt under the Colonial brand. … Finland-based dairy company Valio agreed to acquire the plant protein business and the Härkis and Beanit fava beans brands from Raisio plc for €7 million (about US$7 million). Valio said the deal, which is expected to be complete next month, is part of its strategy to grow “from a dairy company into a food company.” (Company reports; Reuters, 2/18/25; Just Food, 2/18/25)

Uganda’s Pearl Dairy Farms expanded its range of dairy and nutrition products in Africa with the launch of Lato Frutish, a new powdered milk drink available in apple, mango, and strawberry flavors. … Nashville-based Purity Dairies said it will stop making ice cream products at its Athens, Tennessee, facility. The plant will replace those products with Mayfield Dairy ice cream products. Kansas City-based Dairy Farmers of America owns both companies. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Dairy Business Africa, 2/13/25; Company reports; Nashville Post, 2/13/25)

New Zealand-based dairy cooperative Fonterra Co-operative Group announced new funding initiatives designed to incentivize farmers to reduce emissions. For the 2025/26 season beginning on June 1, Fonterra will introduce an additional NZ1-5 cents per kgMS for farms that achieve certain emissions-related criteria as part of updates to its Co-operative Difference framework. (Based on last season’s data, Fonterra estimates about 5,000 farms should be eligible next season.) In addition, additional new incentives benefiting farmers will be funded through separate agreements with Mars and Nestlé as part of their efforts to reach their individual sustainability goals. Those monies (US$27 million over five years in the case of Mars) will be split among two farmer benefits: (1) on-farm tools, technologies and services designed to further improve emissions efficiency and (2) an extra payment of NZ10-25 cents per kgMS to farmers who achieve the Co-operative Difference and have one of the lowest emissions footprints in the Co-op (i.e., around 30% lower than the average farm). Mars called the program with Fonterra “a cornerstone” of its Moo’ving Dairy Forward initiative—a multimillion-dollar platform launched last year to drive investment in new technologies and partnerships to slash GHG emissions across the Mars global dairy supply chain. (Company reports)

Hong Kong-based China Mengniu Dairy issued a profit warning for 2024, stating it expects to record a profit of approximately 50 million yuan to 250 million yuan (about US$7-$34 million) for 2024, a significant drop from 4.8 billion yuan (about US$661 million) in 2023. The company cited impairment provisions at its subsidiary Bellamy’s Australia and asset devaluation at China Modern Dairy for the decline and added that an “imbalance between supply and demand in raw milk and lower-than-expected consumer demand” affected its earnings. But the dairy company also said the expected impairments are “not expected to have any material adverse effect on the current and future operations or cash flow of the company” and that its operating cash flow is projected to remain “stable” year-on-year for 2024. (Just Food, 2/20/25)

Danish-Swedish dairy cooperative Arla Foods announced a proposal to invest €108 million (about US$113 million) in its Lockerbie site in Scotland to make it a “center of excellence” for the production of UHT and lactose-free milk. A company official said the move will enable the co-op to “increase UK production capabilities in UHT and Lactofree technologies, supporting further growth with our strategic customers in the UK.” As part of the investment plan, Arla has proposed closing its Settle site in North Yorkshire. If the proposals move forward, the changes are expected to occur in the second half of 2026. (Company reports)

Corporate report season is well underway. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the latest dairy-related releases:

• Danone’sFY24 sales increased 4.3% on a like-for-like (LFL) basis, and recurring net income rose 2.7%. The Essential Dairy and Plant (EDP) category saw overall sales growth of 3.8%, including Europe (0.9%), North America (5.4%), APAC (11.6%) and AMEA (3.8%). In China, North Asia & Oceania sales rose 6.8% LFL, with infant formula continuing to gain market share and medical nutrition maintaining strong momentum. In Latin America, sales increased 4.7% LFL, with growth “impacted by the licensing out of milk business in Brazil.” In the Rest of the World, the company said sales increased by 5.4% LFL and that in EDP, Dairy Africa showed progress with a quarter of strong growth in Morocco. In its 2025 guidance, Danone said it expects the business to grow between 3% to 5% in the next financial year, with recurring operating income growing faster than sales.
• Switzerland-based Emmi Groupreported revenue up 2.5% for FY 2024. Gross profits grew 7.1%, which the company said “reflects the ongoing transformation of the portfolio and operational progress in markets outside Switzerland.” For FY2025, Emmi expects challenging economic conditions to continue but is forecasting organic group sales growth of 1.5-2.5%. Emmi expects positive momentum in the key markets of Brazil, Chile, Mexico and the U.S. in its Americas Division, but warned of “uncertainties” in Tunisia.
• Ireland’s Glanbia plcwarned that earnings could fall as much as 11% this year due largely to elevated whey costs. The company expects high whey prices to continue into the second half of 2025, easing only toward the end of 2025 and into 2026. Glanbia’s FY24 revenues increased 5.8% on a constant currency basis, and group EBITDA jumped 11.8%, but Glanbia Performance Nutrition (GPN) saw revenue growth of only 0.5%. The company announced a group-wide transformation program designed to drive efficiencies that includes a new operating model with three focused divisions: Performance Nutrition (PN), Health & Nutrition (H&N), and Dairy Nutrition (DN). As part of a portfolio evaluation related to that program, the company said it will exit its direct-to-consumer e-commerce business Body & Fit and its weight management brand SlimFast. The cost-cutting plan aims to achieve annual savings of $50 million by 2027. (Company reports; Reuters, 2/26/25; RTE News, 2/26/25)
  

The Ethiopian government signed a $600-million agreement to jointly invest in an Integrated Dairy and Commercial Farming Project with UK-based private equity firm Asset Green. The investment will be implemented in two phases: The first will focus on establishing a dairy farming and processing operation that includes integrated feed farming on 37,000 acres. The second will expand into cotton, oilseed, and rice farming and will include advanced processing facilities and a support center. (Company reports)

Tether Holdings (issuer of the cryptocurrency stablecoin) has submitted a proposal to acquire a majority stake in Luxembourg-headquartered farming company Adecoagro, which produces, dairy, sugarcane (and biofuels), rice and other crops in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. A statement from Tether said the investment represents the company’s “broader approach to allocating profits into strategic sectors.” … Ohio-based food and beverage company Lakeview Farms completed its merger with UK-based yogurt brand Noosa Holdings. The combined businesses will operate as a new company, Novus Foods. (Bloomberg, 2/18/25; Company reports)

China’s Feihe is spending $18 million to reequip a facility in Heilongjiang Province to produce demineralized whey. The project also includes a “smart” warehouse. The operation will reportedly produce up to 6,000 MT of demineralized whey per year. … Dutch ingredients startup Vivici, which is backed by Fonterra and other investors, secured €32.5 million (about US$34 million) in Series A funding to grow its precision fermentation operation. The company, which claims it already has a customer for its first fermentation-derived dairy proteins, says it plans to use the additional funding to expand access into new international markets, launch a second dairy protein ingredient, and establish long-term manufacturing capabilities. … London-based consumer goods giant Unilever announced CEO and Board Director Hein Schumacher will step down on March 1 “by mutual agreement.” Current CFO and Executive Director Fernando Fernandez will step into the role. (USDEC China office; Company reports)

To strengthen its ability to meet the growing demand for protein-enriched dairy in the U.S., Denmark-based Arla Foods Ingredients signed a contract manufacturing agreement with South Dakota-based dairy processor Valley Queen. Under the agreement, Valley Queen will produce ingredients from the Nutrilac ProteinBoost product range, a whey protein concentrate line designed to increase protein levels in foods and beverages while retaining texture and taste. Production is expected to begin at the company’s Millbank, S.D., plant in winter 2025/2026, after new specialty equipment has been installed. (Company reports)

After Dutch ingredients startup Vivici announced it received new funding to expand its ability to create dairy protein from precision fermentation last week, two more startups revealed new innovation and growth plans. In Boston, cellular agriculture startup Brown Foods announced its new lab-made UnReal Milk, a dairy alternative achieved through a “biotech-driven approach called mammalian cell culture.” The company said that unlike precision fermentation, this technology creates a product that contains the same dairy proteins, fats and carbohydrates found in cow’s milk and can be “scaled up further using bioreactor systems to produce mass volumes” for human consumption. Brown Foods plans to bring UnReal Milk to consumers for tasting late this year, with a market pilot planned for late 2026. And New Zealand food-tech startup Daisy Lab, which includes Waikato dairy cooperative Tatua as an investor, announced it aims to scale its precision fermentation operations from its current 10-liter production facility to a 1,000-liter pilot plant by the end of the year. (Dairy Processing, 2/25/25; RNZ, 2/26/25)

New Zealand-based Synlait Milk appointed Richard Wyeth as its new CEO. Wyeth, who has previously served as CEO of both Westland Milk Products and Taupo-based dairy company Miraka, will join Synlait on May 19. … In an unrelated move, Miraka CEO Karl Gradon stepped down from his role for personal reasons. COO Richard Harding was named acting chief executive while the company searches for a permanent replacement. … New Zealand’s Fonterra announced the discontinuation of its “carbon zero milk” claim for its Simply Milk range after the company acknowledged it failed to meet emissions reduction targets for the product last year. The company has instead rebranded the product to emphasize a 10-cent per bottle donation to “social supermarkets”—akin to food pantries. … Subway China plans to add 300-500 new stores per year as it enters a period of rapid expansion in the country. … Oman Air signed an agreement with Oman’s Mazoon Dairy for Mazoon to serve as the airline’s official supplier of dairy products including milk, yogurt, laban and cheese. … Kenya-based Kinangop Dairy Ltd. introduced Kinangop Gold Yoghurt, a new range of premium dairy products that aims to appeal to a range of consumer taste preferences. The new line includes pineapple, vanilla, strawberry, lemon biscuit and chocolate flavors. … To address the challenges posed by excess milk production and provide employment opportunities in the region, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially inaugurated the BENNI Foods dairy processing factory in Kiruhura District. The site currently employs 73 youths, with plans to expand job opportunities as the company progresses beyond its initial test phase. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; USDEC China office; Company reports; Farmers Weekly, 3/5/25; Rural News Group, 3/5/25; TradeArabia, 3/3/25; Dairy Business Africa, 2/28/25) 

After announcing last year that it planned to close its King Island Dairy operation in Australia because it couldn’t find a buyer, Canadian dairy company Saputo sold the facilities and the King Island brand. The new owner, a newly formed entity called King Island Dairy 2 Pty Ltd., is led by Melbourne businessmen Nicholas Dobromilsky and Graeme Wilson. In addition to the facility and brand, the sale includes the dairy’s on-site cheese store and two local farms that provide a guaranteed milk supply. (eDairy News, 3/9/25; ABC News, 3/6/25)

As a next step in its move to divest its consumer and associated businesses, New Zealand-based dairy cooperative Fonterra announced changes to its management team. Richard Allen will lead Fonterra’s Global Ingredients business as president; Teh-han Chow will lead the co-op’s global Foodservice business as president while continuing as CEO for Greater China; and René Dedoncker’s title will change from managing director Global Markets Consumer and Foodservice to managing director Global Markets Consumer, as he leads those businesses toward divestment. (Company reports)

France-based food giant Danone reached an agreement to settle a lawsuit launched by a coalition of three NGO groups claiming the company does not do enough to reduce its use of plastics in its supply chain. The suit, which was filed by ClientEarth, Surfrider Foundation Europe and Zero Waste France last year, said Danone must comply with the French duty of vigilance law, which holds large corporations to account for their environmental impact. As part of the agreement, Danone said it is “reinforcing the vigilance plan” and provided information on the actions it was taking in relation to plastic packaging use, which include “reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering plastic packaging.” (Just Food, 2/25/25)

Den Sociale Kapitalfond, a Danish investment firm, acquired a 60% stake in family-owned ice cream producer Hansens Is. In a statement, the new owners announced a strategy that includes expanding Hansens’ presence in the Danish market while also taking initial steps toward exports to neighboring countries. (Company reports)

Food processing and packaging solutions company Tetra Pak kicked off a three-year project to modernize the production facilities of Al Rabie, a Saudi producer of juices, nectars and dairy products. The project will leverage Tetra Pak’s technology to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of Al Rabie’s operations. … Abu Dhabi-based Samaya Food Investments signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Malaysian restaurant operator Berjaya Food International to bring the Paris Baguette bakery café brand to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The collaboration aims to meet a growing demand for high-quality bakery products and premium dining experiences in the region. … Speaking of Paris Baguette, South Korea’s SPC Group, owner of the Paris Baguette name, completed a new $56-million bakery product manufacturing plant in Johor, Malaysia. The company has major expansion ambitions, aiming to operate 12,000 stores worldwide by 2030, with plans for Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the U.S. (a plant is in the works in Texas). … After threatening in January to sue Illinois-based kefir and probiotic products manufacturer Lifeway Foods (see Global Dairy eBrief, 1/10/25), Danone North America filed a lawsuit last week alleging Lifeway breached the shareholder agreement signed by the two companies in 1999. Lifeway responded by calling Danone’s actions “the latest aggressive action in Danone's campaign to execute a hostile takeover of Lifeway at a price that substantially undervalues the company,” and saying it intends to file a counterclaim. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa Office; company reports; MSN.com, 3/10/25; FoodNavigator-Asia.com, 3/10/25; Zawya, 3/5/25)

California-based Hilmar Cheese cut the ribbon on its new $600-million production facility in Dodge City, Kansas this week. The facility makes American-style cheese in commercial 40-pound blocks, which are then sold wholesale to customers and used in a variety of foods. It also produces a wide range of innovative proteins to meet the needs of customers worldwide. The new site employs nearly 250 people. (Company reports)

Bankers for New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra are scheduled to present to Sydney fund managers next week about the ASX listing of Mainland Group, the company’s consumer business. Sources reported this week that the consumer business, which includes the Western Star butter and Mainland cheese brands, could be valued at up to NZ$4 billion (about US$2.3 billion) and that the potential IPO might raise between NZ$1.5-$2 billion (about US$873 million-$1.2 billion). Rene Dedoncker, who is slated to become the consumer business’s CEO, will lead the IPO meeting, which the company is calling a “non-deal roadshow.” (The Australian Financial Review, 3/12/25)

Qatar-based dairy company Baladna said it is shifting its growth strategy toward high-protein dairy products and significant collaboration with Algeria following the collapse of a joint venture in Malaysia. The shift was discussed as the company announced its full-year financial results for 2024, revealing a record-high revenue of US$316 million, an 8% increase from the previous year. Net profit also jumped 69% to US$51 million. According to the company, Baladna holds a 96% share in fresh milk and nearly 93% in UHT milk in its home market. With this solid foundation, the firm said it is exploring new avenues to sustain that growth. During a recent investors’ meeting, Baladna CFO Saifullah Khan emphasized the company’s focus on innovation, noting that “On the consumer strategy front, we have strong interest in the high-protein milk and yoghurt segments, and have already launched new innovations into this market where we see a lot of potential.” The company added 39 new products in 2024, including new Greek yogurt flavors, an enhanced cheese range, and a revitalized Awafi product line. Khan also highlighted Baladna’s partnership with the Algerian National Investment Fund to establish a large vertically integrated dairy farm as well as other agreements to strengthen its presence in Algeria—including a Memorandum of Understanding with the Algerian government to explore infant milk production. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa Office; Dairy Business Africa, 3/11/2025)

Chicago-based Mondelēz International and Belgium-based Biscoff maker Lotus Bakeries announced an expanded partnership to produce Biscoff-branded frozen novelties. The companies are working with England-based Froneri, which manufactures ice cream under license for Mondelēz and other companies, to produce the products in a move designed to expand Biscoff’s global presence. Froneri will produce, market and sell Biscoff ice cream in several European countries starting in 2026 before gradually expanding into other areas. (Food Dive, 3/14/25)

In its half-year 2025 results, Australian food and beverage giant Bega Group, which includes the Bega Cheese brand, reported revenues hit $1.8 billion (about US$1.1 billion) over the six-month period, an increase of 3% compared to the same time last year. The company cited the recovery of the Bulk segment as a key factor in the gain. Normalized EBITDA jumped 44% from the previous year, and profitability in the Branded segment increased 8%, an increase the company said, “reflects the success of cost-savings initiatives (including supply footprint rationalization) as well as focus on high-value categories.” Looking ahead, the company reaffirmed its target of a normalized EBITDA of $190 to $200 million (about US$121 million to $127 million) for the full year. (Company reports)

Indian agri-food group Godrej Agrovet struck a deal to become the sole owner of local dairy business Creamline Dairy Products. The company, which first invested in Creamline in 2005 and already owns nearly 52%, will pay Rs9.3 billion (about US$107 million) for the remaining shares. … In a move to expand its presence in the premium yogurt category, UK-based organic food company Yeo Valley Production acquired Epicurean Dairy (UK), the owner of The Collective yogurt brand. (Just Food, 3/13/25, 3/12/25)

After a devastating fire destroyed its previous facilities in 2023, UK-based Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses announced it has received permission from the local government to construct a state-of-the-art cheesemaking campus on its Inglewhite farm. The company expects to complete the facility by the end of 2025. It will feature a maturation space tailored to the unique requirements of farmhouse cheese production. … California-based New Culture announced it has received a $5 million investment from pizza chefs and restaurant operators for its plant-based mozzarella alternative, which is formulated with a casein derived from precision fermentation. … Lifeway Foods shareholder Edward Smolyansky launched an official campaign to replace the board of directors of the Illinois-based kefir and probiotic products manufacturer at its next annual meeting. In a statement, Edward, the brother of Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky, said “The Board's failure to maximize shareholder value while enriching the CEO warrants a complete and immediate overhaul.” He proposed a “new slate of independent directors” that includes himself and his mother, Ludmilla. (Company reports)

During the China Development Forum 2025, Danone CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique announced that the company will build another new research center in China to make breakthroughs in nutrition research and improve distribution. China is the second largest market for Danone, where the company has established one research center in Shanghai, one medical nutrition manufacture basement in Wuxi, and three special nutrition plants in Qingdao, Changsha and Shanghai. According to Danone’s FY2024 Performance Report, sales revenue in China, North Asia and Oceania increased 3.5% to approximately US$1.99 billion in the reporting period. (USDEC China Office)

Yili’s pet food brand EBorn has opened stores on various online shopping platforms to sell dry pet food with probiotics and liquid milk for pets. The products were processed to remove lactose and enhanced with enzymes for better absorption while containing functional ingredients including calcium and chondroitin sulfate for pets’ bone health. It was reported that Ausnutria also joined the development of those pet products. (USDEC China Office)

Tokyo-based Meiji announced the launch of Meiji W Skin Care Yogurt, a functional dairy product designed to protect against UV-induced skin irritation and maintain skin moisture levels. The drinkable yogurt contains SC-2 lactic acid bacteria, collagen peptides and sphingomyelin and is now available nationwide in Japan. (Dairy News Today, 3/25/25)

New York-based food company Chobani said it is investing $500m to expand its Twin Falls, Idaho, plant, which manufactures Chobani yogurt, oat milk, and coffee creamers. The company said the expansion will add more than over 500,000 square feet of space and boost production capacity by 50%. The expanded facility will supply products to customers in the U.S. and Mexico. Operations are expected to start in early 2026. (Just Food, 3/24/25)

The Albex Group, a Scottish Food company, acquired the assets of U.K.-based online artisan cheese retailer Cheese Geek out of administration for an undisclosed sum. … Japan-based dairy company Morinaga Milk announced a strategic partnership with Indonesian dairy manufacturer PT ABC Kogen Dairy (AKD) to introduce a new line of dairy products to the Singaporean market. The collaboration will see branded products manufactured by AKD under both Morinaga and AKD’s flagship 'KIN' labels, with plans to launch sales in April 2025. … Saudi Arabia-based food and beverage group Almarai’s agreement to acquire Jordan-based dairy and cheese company Hammoudeh Food Industries has fallen through. A stock exchange statement on behalf of Almarai said the deal was not completed due to "factors beyond the company's control." (Company reports; Just Food, 3/18/25)

Wisconsin-based organic farmer-owned cooperative Organic Valley named Shawna Nelson as the co-op’s CEO, effective March 28. Nelson, who began working with the co-op nearly 20 years ago as an intern, takes the reins from outgoing CEO Jeff Frank, who is leaving to become CEO at Tennessee-based Monogram Foods. … Dutch-Swiss company DSM-Firmenich launched a novel coagulant enzyme called MaxirenEVO. A company statement said the enzyme is engineered with fermentation technology and targets alpha s-1 (αs1) casein via a highly specific mode of action “to deliver better texture and flavor development, improved yields, and increased processing flexibility.” … New Zealand dairy company Synlait Milk Ltd. reported first-half 2025 earnings that showed a return to profitability, driven by what Acting CEO Tim Carter called “a focus on getting the fundamentals of our operational performance right, seizing opportunities to deliver for customers, and continued cost control.” The results show the company’s EBITDA for the six months ending January 31, 2025, was $63.1 million, while group revenues for the company were $916.8 million (about US$525.3 million), up 16% from the previous year. … New Zealand’s Fonterra Co-operative Group reported operating profit rose 16% in the first half of 2025. The company attributed the gain in part to “an optimized product mix, designed to capture value across the Co-op’s sales channels.” (Company reports)

In a move to strengthen its presence in the U.S. food market, California-based Marquez Brothers International (MBI) reached an agreement to acquire Florida-based Hato Potero Farms, the maker of drinkable yogurt brand YoGusto. (Company reports)

Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs announced he plans to retire in the first quarter of 2026. A company board spokesman said the board “is committed to overseeing a thorough succession planning process” to replace Gibbs, who has served as CEO since January 2020 and been with the company for nearly 40 years. … India’s Mother Dairy will invest Rs 1,400 crore-Rs 1,500 crore (about US$164 million-$176 million) to boost its production capacity by enhancing its existing 12 plants and adding three new ones. The company said it is also launching several new products to meet increasing demand. … North Carolina-based doughnut chain Krispy Kreme is continuing its global expansion with the launch of its first restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil, later this month. The launch is a partnership with Brazil’s largest convenience store operator, AmPm. … Yum Brands’ Taco Bell operation said it expects to nearly triple its international unit count from 1,100 to 3,000 by 2030. As part of its international growth plans, the company said it is working with major operating partners in India and Spain and building a presence in Latin America while investing in company-operated restaurants in key markets, including the UK. … At its annual investor day, Oregon-based coffee chain Dutch Bros. Coffee said the company believes there is potential for more than 7,000 stores in the U.S., up from its previous forecast of 4,000, and it is aiming to double its current store count to 2,029 outlets by 2029. … French biotech company Bon Vivant officially rebranded itself to Verley and introduced a line of proteins produced through precision fermentation that mimic the proteins found in cow’s milk. The new product line is called FermWhey and includes three specialized proteins: FermWhey Native, FermWhey MicroStab, and FermWhey Gel. (Company reports; Financial Express, 3/26/25; Restaurant Business, 3/28/25, 3/21/25; Nation’s Restaurant News, 3/24/25; Protein Production, 3/27/25)

Denmark-based Arla Foods announced plans to merge with German rival DMK Group in a deal that would create Europe’s largest dairy cooperative, owned by more than 12,000 farmers and with a combined annual pro forma revenue of €19 billion (about US$21 billion). In a joint statement, the companies said the merged entity will carry the Arla name, and current Arla CEO Peder Tuborgh will become head of the company, which will be headquartered in Denmark. They also said the new entity will be “stronger and more resilient in the face of an anticipated decline in overall European milk volumes, through more diversified product portfolios and market positions.” The agreement is subject to board approval, scheduled for June of this year, as well as regulatory approvals, which are expected toward the end of 2025. (Company reports)

Following the March 31 deadline and after bankers for New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra presented to Sydney fund managers about the ASX listing of its consumer business, Mainland Group, offers have landed from bidders. Suitors include French dairy giant Lactalis and Australia’s Bega Group, which already licenses the use of its brands to Fonterra — which may give it pre-emptive rights in a sale. Other bidders still in the mix include private equity firms Pacific Equity Partners and Warburg Pincus, and investment firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and The Carlyle Group. French dairy giant Danone was reportedly in the mix but only bidding for part of the business, making that offer unlikely to progress. (The Australian, 4/3/25)

As part of its efforts to boost production of cheese and butter in Brazil, French dairy group Lactalis said it is investing €46.2 million (about US$50 million) in its dairy manufacturing facility located in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The announcement follows the company’s November allocation of around $42 million for the same state across seven plants, in a project that stretches through 2026. The company said the new investment round will fund a new manufacturing facility at the state’s Uberlândia site for the local semi-hard cheese variety prato, along with an additional production line for butter. These projects are expected to be completed by 2027. (Just Food, 4/1/25)

Denmark-based Arla Foods Ingredients launched a campaign to highlight the benefits of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) beyond the infant formula category. Called Whey360, the initiative follows a Danish Veterinary and Food Administration ruling confirming that MFGM is not classified as a novel food in the EU, which allows for MFGM to be labeled clearly on products for infants and adults. The company said the goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about its MFGM ingredients—which contain whey protein and are a source of essential amino acids, complex milk lipids and other nutrients—and also communicate the potential for MFGM to create functional nutrition products targeting adults, toddlers and older children. To that end, Arla Food Ingredients aims to introduce three concepts featuring MFGM in functional nutrition products for children and adults, including a squeezable cheese, a kids’ UHT drink and high-protein drinking yogurt. (Company reports)

As China continues to enact birth rate stimulus measures to promote parenting, infant formula maker Feihe is reportedly launching its own nationwide maternity subsidy program this month. The program will provide each eligible family with a subsidy of no less than 1,500 yuan (about US$206). The total investment for the promotion, which equates to about six cans of free formula per family, will amount to RMB1.2 billion (about US$162 million). Analysts predict it could lead to margin reset risks for competitors including Danone, Yili, Friso and a2 Milk Co. (Dairy Reporter, 4/2/25)

In an effort to help address the issue of undernutrition in school-age children in the Philippines, Switzerland-based Nestlé is expanding its Bear Brand range with a new, “affordable” drink combining powdered milk and soy for school-age children. The product is called Bear Brand Milk N’ Soy. … Nestlé is also expanding its Nescafé Ready-to-Drink cold coffee range to India, the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region and Brazil as it looks to tap growing demand among Gen Z and Millennial consumers. The range includes varieties like latte, cappuccino and mocha as well as chocolate and caramel flavors. … Wisconsin-based dairy co-op Foremost Farms announced that President and CEO Greg Schlafer resigned his role, effective April 11. Schlafer, who joined Foremost Farms in December 2019, will reportedly “take some time to rest and recharge before his role at another organization begins mid-year.” The company said it was moving ahead with a search for a replacement. … French dairy giant Danone said it plans to shut its Ochsenfurt, Germany, site by the final quarter of next year. The company said production costs at the site are “well above the average of other European Danone plants” and cited “years of inefficiency caused by declining capacity utilization.” … The Dairy Nexus Project, a new research and development facility designed to boost innovation and sustainability in the dairy industry, officially opened at Scotland's Rural College's (SRUC) Barony campus. The facility is funded with £4 million (about US$4.4 million) from the UK and Scottish governments and £738,00 (about US$808,000) from South of Scotland Enterprise. (Company reports; FoodBev Media, 4/8/25; BBC, 4/4/25)

Hilmar Cheese named former Foremost Farms USA President and CEO Greg Schlafer as the company’s new CEO effective July 1. Schlafer replaces David Ahlem, who announced he was stepping down as CEO in late 2024. Ahlem will become a board advisor. Schlafer has served on the boards of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, NMPF and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Prior to Foremost, he held leadership roles at J.R. Simplot, Lamb Weston and General Mills. He will be only the third CEO in Hilmar’s 41-year history. (Company reports)

Wales-based South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC) and its dairy processing line designer/manufacture Gemak completed SCC’s new whey, milk and cream processing facility. Gemal says the plant meets SCC’s net-zero water goals for processing whey concentrate with 30% solids. In addition to the whey processing plant, the project also includes a new milk and cream processing plant, storage silos and a CIP unit for SCC’s existing cheese plant. The facility has a processing capacity of 600 tons per day of milk and whey concentrate. In an effort to bolster its competitiveness in the global market, SCC recently undertook a £15 million (about US$17 million) expansion to ramp-up cheese production from 15,000 to 23,000 tons annually, including £5 million (about US$6 million) in support from the Welsh government. (Company reports)

As part of its strategy to enter the growing functional health yogurt and drinks market, Müller UK & Ireland acquired UK.-based kefir brand Biotiful Gut Health. The Biotiful Gut Health business will continue to operate as usual, with Founder Natasha Bowes supporting the team in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition and Müller Yogurts & Desserts CEO Richard Williams joining the existing leadership team to support the brand’s growth. … Spain-based dairy group Capsa Food acquired an additional 20% stake in local cheese maker Innolact, which supplies cream cheese, mascarpone and other dairy products to 45 countries across five continents. The acquisition makes Capsa, which acquired a 40% stake in the cheese maker in July, Innolact’s majority shareholder. … In a move to strengthen its specialty cheese platform, New Jersey-based food importer Gellert Global Group acquired Heartisan Foods, a Wisconsin-based producer of premium branded and private-label specialty cheeses including the Red Apple and Naturally Good Kosher brands. (Company reports: Just Food, 4/11/25)

British dairy cooperative Arla Foods began work on its previously announced £179 million (about US$203 million) mozzarella plant at its Taw Valley Creamery in Devon, UK. … Following Feihe’s lead, Chinese infant formula makers Yili Group and Junlebao are offering subsidies to encourage couples to have babies. The two programs are funded at about $219 million each. Yili’s program will offer qualifying households about $220 each and also provide health and counseling services during pregnancy and the first three years of a child’s life. Details on Junlebao’s program were unavailable at press time. … Ireland-based Kerry Group expanded its footprint in East Africa with the opening of a taste manufacturing facility in Rwanda to support local food and beverage manufacturers. A company statement said the facility, which is located in Kigali, will enable Kerry “to deliver sustainable and authentic taste solutions tailored to local preferences and build on Kerry’s strategy to locate manufacturing and R&D facilities closer to high-growth markets across the continent.” … To improve production efficiency and profitability, Finnish dairy company Valio said it plans to relocate the Kauhava factory operations it acquired from Raisio plc in March to Oulu or Joensuu. If implemented, the plan would mean the closure of the Kauhava factory as early as the end of the year. … French dairy group Yoplait filed a lawsuit in Ireland against Danone alleging the company has imitated Yoplait’s Skyr yogurt range with its own product. (USDEC China office; USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Company reports; Food Business Gulf & Middle East, 4/5/25; Irish Independent, 4/14/25; FoodBev Media, 4/16/25)

Australia-based dairy manufacturer Brownes Dairy was put up for sale after its biggest lender, China’s Mengniu Dairy, called in its A$200 million (about US$128 million) loan. Mengniu appointed McGrathNicol’s Keith Crawford for the sale, who said that because the sale is limited solely to shares in the dairy’s holding company, Australian Zhiran Co. Pty, he does not anticipate any change to Brownes Dairy’s day-to-day operations. (Australian Financial Review, 4/22/25)

In a move to keep up with “soaring product demand,” New York-based Chobani broke ground on a new $1.2 billion, 1.4-million-square-foot dairy processing plant in Rome, New York. The facility, which is being built on 150 acres that was formerly the Griffiss Air Force Base, will reportedly house up to 28 production lines designed to process approximately 12 million pounds of milk per day. Chobani expects to complete the project by the end of 2026. (Company reports)

After Egypt’s Arabian Food Industries, widely known as Domty, announced it will divide into two separate entities, Danish dairy company Arla Foods withdrew its offer to acquire a majority stake in the business and said it will instead pursue a potential deal focused on the entity that will control Domty’s dairy operations after the separation is complete. The demerger process is expected to take several months. … New York-based food and beverage company PepsiCo reinforced its commitment in the Middle East with the opening of a new regional headquarters in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. The company also announced plans to launch a new SR30 million (about US$8 million) R&D center in the Kingdom that will focus on innovation in product development and packaging tailored to regional preferences. … French dairy giant Danone announced plans to stop selling its plant-based organic brand Provamel in Germany this August. The company said it is preparing to launch a range of organic plant-based products under its Alpro brand. … France-based dairy company Bel Group partnered with French biotech firm Standing Ovation to develop casein proteins derived through precision fermentation technology. … California-based burrito chain Chipotle Mexican Grill signed a development agreement with Mexico-based restaurant operator Alsea to open restaurants in Mexico for the first time. The burrito chain said it expects the initial outlet to open early next year and that it is considering further expansion in the region. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Company reports; Just Food, 4/22/25; Arab News, 4/21/25; Dairy Business Africa, 4/15/25)

Minnesota-based Actus Nutrition finalized an agreement to purchase a 99,000-sq.-ft. processing plant from Wisconsin-based Foremost Farms USA. The facility, located in Sparta, Wisconsin, currently manufactures whey protein products, which Actus will continue producing at the location. As part of the deal, Actus and Foremost Farms will begin a long-term exclusive, network-wide whey protein partnership supporting growth for both organizations. Actus plans to invest significant capital in the facility to increase capacity and expand its capabilities. (Company reports)

Australia-based Bega Cheese announced that a lawsuit filed by Fonterra over licensing agreements and the New Zealand dairy firm's divestment plan was dismissed by the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Last year, Fonterra's Australian units initiated proceedings against Bega, seeking confirmation that Fonterra's divestment proposal would not impact the existing trademark license agreements with Bega. Fonterra has a long-standing agreement to make cheese in Australia under the Bega brand, and wanted a ruling that its divestment plans would not affect the existing trademark deal and trigger clauses which would allow Bega to end the deal. The ruling could potentially delay Fonterra’s proposed divestiture of its global consumer and integrated businesses and complicate the potential changes to the license deal between the two firms. (Radio New Zealand, 4/28/25; Reuters, 4/27/25)

After police in Vietnam dismantled a major counterfeit milk powder operation targeting vulnerable consumers, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered several government ministries to review food safety regulations and step up measures against counterfeit food and milk products. The manufacturing ring, which involved two companies that were created to make and sell the fake product, is accused of producing and marketing 573 brands of counterfeit powdered milk and targeting vulnerable groups like diabetics, kidney patients, premature infants, and pregnant women over the last four years. (The Vietnam Dairy Association confirmed that the two companies involved in the fake milk production are not members.) The resulting government review reportedly may result in changes to food safety regulations involving dairy products in the country. (NutraIngredients-Asia 4/23/25)

In its FY 2024 annual results, Tirlán reported group revenue for FY24 was up 5% from the previous year and operating profit dropped 2%. The Irish dairy cooperative’s annual report characterized 2024 as “a year of two distinct halves for our co-op and our members.” The co-op backed its members financially with a €30 million (about US$34.1 million) support package offered in the face of weather challenges in the first half of the year that curtailed milk supply and resulted in the late sowing of crops, but that milk supply “made a strong recovery in the later months of 2024.” (Agriland, 4/29/25)

The South Australian government took the unusual step of establishing an A$3 million fund (about US$1.9 million) to support dairy farmers affected by the bankruptcy filing of Australian dairy processor Beston Global Food. Beston was buying about one-fifth of the milk produced in South Australia before entering voluntary administration late last year. … Despite widespread opposition from the local union and other stakeholders, Danish dairy company Arla Foods confirmed it will continue with its plans to close its Settle creamery and relocate production to its Lockerbie factory. … Switzerland-based Nestlé appointed Jeff Hamilton, currently business head of Purina PetCare Zone Europe, as CEO Zone Americas (AMS) and member of the Group Executive Board, effective July 1. He replaces Steve Presley, executive vice president and CEO Zone AMS, who will retire from the company this week after almost 30 years of service. … Following its decision to focus on higher value ingredients such as advanced proteins and medical nutrition, New Zealand’s Fonterra said it plans to shutter its Canpac canning and packaging facility. The facility, which is located in Hamilton, New Zealand, and blends and packages milk powders, will close at the end of July. … Lactalis Canada entered a new licensing agreement with Nestlé Canada to enter the frozen yogurt category. The collaboration features eight SKUs under Lactalis Canada’s iÖGO brand including four bars and four tubs, and three pops under the iÖGO nanö brand. (ABC Rural, 4/27/25; Farming UK, 4/27/25; Company reports)

Wisconsin-based Foremost Farms USA named Brenda Dehart president and CEO, effective immediately. Dehart joined Foremost Farms in February 2024 as CFO. She previously served as CFO at Edlong and held leadership roles at Sensient Technologies and Kerry Inc. Former Foremost chief Greg Schlafer stepped down in April to become take over as president and CEO of Hilmar Cheese. (Company reports)

Japan-based Meiji Holdings Co. and Canada-based Saputo have reportedly joined the list of potential bidders for the global consumer businesses that New Zealand’s Fonterra Co-operative Group is looking to divest. The proposed divestiture includes the operations and marketing of brands such as Mainland and Anchor butter, Kapiti ice cream and cheese, and Anlene packaged milk powder. The sale also includes the Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka units, with operations from milk collection to processing to supplying products to consumers and foodservice companies. A deal for the businesses Fonterra is divesting is estimated to be valued at around NZ$4 billion (about US$2.4 billion). Separately, Fonterra said it planned to appeal a ruling last week by the New South Wales Supreme Court. The court dismissed Fonterra’s claim that the divestment would not affect its trademark deal with Bega Cheese, and there was some speculation the dismissal could delay a sale. Fonterra said the dismissal does not change its divestment plans, and it will continue to pursue both a trade sale and initial public offering (IPO) as potential options. (Rural News Group, 5/7/25; Reuters, 5/1/25)

Recent financial results in the Chinese dairy industry reveal a mixed landscape marked by areas of strong growth alongside ongoing challenges. Chinese dairy companies credit product innovation, cost control measures and improvements to operational efficiencies for their positive gains, and say they are looking to enhance future results through similar efforts.

• In its 2025 Q1 report, Chinese cheese company Milkground said its revenue reached US$169 million, up 6% YOY. Net profit of the company reached about US$11 million, a leap of 115% YOY. In the first quarter, Milkground increased its investments in product innovation, launching a series of new cheese items focused on products targeting family eating occasions and nutritional demands, including cheese marketed for children’s growth and cheese snacks. Milkground said it will continue to focus on innovation in cheese snacks and other products for adolescents and adults, family table consumption and sales to corporations. It also plans to enhance its supply chain, producing domestically made cheese products using milk produced at local farms.
• Xinjiang Terun Dairy reported that 2024 revenue was about US$383 million, an increase of 3% YOY. However, net profit plummeted 69% to about US$6 million. The dairy company cited the decrease of the gross profit from dairy farm operations, which was the result of low raw milk and cattle prices amid fierce competition. A company statement said Terun expects to reach about US$410 million in revenue in 2025.
• Infant formula brand BeingMate reported first-quarter revenue at about US$100 million, up 1% compared to last year. Net profit increased 94% YOY to about US$6 million. The company said the increases were the result of cost control measures and increased operational efficiencies. In recent years, it has actively expanded its product lines and market layouts, especially in the promotion of e-commerce channels.
• Bright Dairy’s Q1 2025 report showed revenue at US$877 million, down almost 1% YOY. net profit was about US$19 million, a decrease of 18% YOY. Despite the pressure on profitability, the company said it would improve its performance by optimizing its product portfolios and improving operational efficiency.
• Sanyuan Dairy reported first-quarter revenue of about US$227 million, a decrease of 19%. However, the net profit was about US$12 million, up 21% YOY—a result attributed to cost control measures.
• Total 2024 revenue for Yili Group was about US$16 billion, with the net profit at US$1 billion, both representing a YOY decrease. Meanwhile, its 2025 Q1 report showed revenue at about US$5 billion, up 1% YOY, with the profit increasing 24% to about US$637 million. Though the company still ranks first regarding market share of liquid milk, it said it focused more on its double-digit growth of powdered formula products this year. (USDEC China Office)
  

To strengthen its presence in Portugal, France-based dairy company Lactalis said it will acquire local cheese maker Queijos Tavares from Lisbon-based private-equity firm Crest Capital Partners. Queijos Tavares produces cow’s, sheep and goat’s milk cheeses and supplies products under the brands Seia do Tavares, Serras de Penela, Damar and Monte da Soalheira to food distributors and the hospitality sector. The acquisition includes Queijos Tavares’ two production facilities located in Seia and Fundão and will increase Lactalis’ production sites in Portugal to four. The deal is subject to approval by regulatory authorities. (Just Food, 5/1/25)

As part of its efforts to simplify its operational footprint, Australia-based Bega Group said it will close its cheese processing and packaging facility in Strathmerton, Victoria, and transfer its functions to the company’s Ridge Street site in Bega, New South Wales. To support the transfer, Bega Group plans to invest approximately A$50 million (about US$32 million) in the Ridge Street site to modernize its cheese processing and packing capabilities to accommodate the combined operations. The closure is expected to be completed by mid-2026. (Just Food, 5/6/25)

Argentine dairy processor Mastellone Hermanos rejected a bid from Argentine confectionery manufacturer Arcor to acquire La Serenísima. Mastellone Hermanos owns a 51% stake in fellow dairy processor La Serenísima and criticized Arcor’s bid as undervaluing the company. Arcor and Bagley Argentina, a division of Danone, currently own 49% of La Serenísima. (Dairy News Today, 5/5/25)

Last month, K Coffee, a subsidiary coffee brand of KFC, marked its 1,000th China outlet in Beijing. The brand’s rapid expansion since opening standalone stores two years ago has been credited to opening stores close to KFC outlets and covering venues including airports and tourist destinations. … Clearway Capital, a German investment firm that’s an activist investor in Irish nutrition company Glanbia, wrote a plea to the board of Tirlán, Glanbia’s largest shareholder, seeking support for a “fundamental strategic review focused on separating Glanbia’s distinct business units.” The letter calls out “the persistently disappointing returns that Glanbia has delivered to its shareholders over the past several years including to Tirlán Co-operative Society and to the thousands of society members who own shares directly.” … New Zealand-based boutique dairy company Origin Earth announced it will close after receiving a notice from its landlord that the lease was ending and Origin Earth had to be out of the building by May 31. Officials from the company, which has been producing a range of milk, cheese and yoghurt products for 15 years, said they have listed the business and factory equipment for sale and are hoping someone might buy the Origin Earth brand. (USDEC China office; Agriland, 4/24/25; Radio New Zealand, 5/4/25)

Switzerland-based Nestlé announced the creation of a new center for “deep tech” that will screen, test and develop new generations of sensors, robots, coding systems, high-performing AI and virtual/mixed reality solutions “to increase efficiency in research, innovation and operations.” The company said the resulting enhanced R&D expertise will lead to new nutritional solutions that will bolster Nestlé’s consumer-centric innovation pipelines for maternal, early life and medical nutrition, and support new growth platforms such as healthy longevity, women’s health and weight management. The center will open in the first half of 2026 at the existing facilities of the Nestlé System Technology Center in Orbe, Switzerland. (Company reports)

Canadian dairy co-operative Gay Lea Foods completed the sale of Notre Dame Creamery in Manitoba to local peer Fromagerie Chaeban Ltd. The creamery, which is known for producing “high-quality, conventionally churned” butter in small batches, will remain in operation at its current location. … France-based Danone agreed to acquire a majority stake in California-based Kate Farms, a plant-based and organic nutrition brand that produces a range of everyday and specialized nutrition products, including children’s drinks and medical nutrition shakes. Following the closing of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, Kate Farms’ CEO, Brett Matthews, will serve as chairman and CEO of Danone’s North America medical nutrition business. (Company reports)

Chinese dairy beverage maker Liziyuan is spending $44 million on a new processing facility in the Ningxia Autonomous Region. The plant, which the company expects to complete in December 2025, will make WMP, SMP, condensed milk, whipped cream and cheese. … Dutch food company Royal A-ware said it will close a Belgian dairy factory operated by its subsidiary Olympia, which became part of Royal A-aware Food Group in 2022. Despite efforts to increase efficiency at the plant—which is located in Herne and produces cream, oatmeal desserts and other puddings, yogurt, milk and chocolate milk—A-ware said, “too many of the installations and infrastructure are so outdated that complete new construction is needed.” … As part of its efforts to gradually move production from its Vantaa plant to Joensuu, Finnish dairy and food company Valio is investing roughly €30 million (about US$33 million) in a new cheese maturation warehouse to be built at the Joensuu production plant. The project, which includes constructing a new, automated maturation warehouse and upgrading existing facilities to support the move, is expected to be complete by 2027. … U.S. burger chain Shake Shack signed a licensing deal with Panama’s Grupo Attie-Multifood Enterprises that will see Attie-Multifood open 12 Shake Shack restaurants over the next 10 years. Shake Shack has more than 210 international units, all of which are run through licensing agreements. … New Zealand sheep milk processor Maui Food Group signed a deal with China’s Mengniu Dairy to supply sheep milk to China. (USDEC China office; Company reports; Restaurant Business, 5/13/25)

Bob Carroll officially assumed the role of CEO at USDEC member California Milk Advisory Board. Carroll, who was serving as CMAB vice president of business development, takes over from John Talbot, who announced plans to retire in March. Talbot has been working with Carroll during a transition period and will continue to serve at a reduced capacity over the balance of the year working on a variety of strategic projects.

Italian dairy company Granarolo opened a new dairy facility in Gioia del Colle as part of a €25 million (about US$28 million) investment aimed at expanding production of traditional Apulian cheeses in both local and foreign markets. The “Perla” plant, which had been producing milk under the Perla and Granarolo brands, has been upgraded to now manufacture regional cheese specialties, including burrata, stracciatella, buffalo mozzarella and ricotta. The facility includes custom-designed production lines built to improve the microbiological quality of the burrata and improve shelf-life, supporting the company’s export ambitions to meet growing international demand. (Food & Drink Technology, 5/16/25)

Brazil-based dairy company Grupo Piracanjuba acquired local dairy business Natulact in a move that will give Piracanjuba its first manufacturing site in the northeast of the country. Natulact’s portfolio includes mozzarella, Minas frescal cheese, butter and whey powder. Piracanjuba said it plans to maintain Natulact’s cheese lines while gradually expanding the portfolio and increasing production capacity. Production will continue under the Natulact brand initially and then move to Piracanjuba branding over time. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. (Just Food, 5/20/25)

Denmark-based Arla Foods Ingredients extended its distribution partnership with Germany’s Brenntag Group to include Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. The expanded collaboration, which will allow Brenntag to distribute Arla Foods Ingredients’ portfolio of protein ingredients in Southeast Asia’s three largest food and nutrition markets, will cover a wide range of categories including health foods, infant nutrition and sports nutrition, as well as solutions for functionality in dairy and bakery. (Company reports)

In a move to reduce on-farm methane emissions, French food company Danone signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mexico-based biodigester technology provider Sistema.bio to equip 6,500 smallholder dairy farmers with biodigesters by 2030. The systems, which transform livestock waste into renewable biogas and organic fertilizer will be deployed in several geographies where Danone operates, starting with Mexico, India and Morocco. (Company reports)

New York-based Chobani acquired plant-based frozen smoothies and meals startup Daily Harvest, which is also based in New York. A statement from Daily Harvest said the company’s website, products and team would remain the same under the deal, which marks Chobani’s entry into the ready-to-make meals category. (Food Dive, 5/16/25)

Chinese dairy processor Royal Group is reportedly associated with a new project to build a $49-million dairy plant in Hubei Province. Details are limited, but the plant will produce up to 300 MT of finished product per day once completed. Construction began this month. … Arla Foods said production at its plant in the German town of Upahl was disrupted by a cybersecurity incident that involved “suspicious activity” in the co-op’s IT network. The Danish co-op did not provide any details about the cyberattack, but said it expected normal operations to resume in the days following the incident. … Japan-based Asahi Group launched a new product called Like Milk, a yeast-based, dairy-free milk alternative that’s being marketed as the first yeast-derived milk alternative in Japan. Like Milk will be available online only, with a nationwide release slated for 2026. (USDEC China office; Just Food, 5/20/25; Dairy Reporter, 5/19/25)

Five UAE-based food producers—Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy, Al Ajban Chicken, Golden Eggs (Al Jazira Poultry) and Saha Arabian Farms—came together under a newly launched entity called Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG). The group, which is backed by UAE-based investment firms Ghitha Holding and Yas Holding, aims to support the country’s long-term food security and industrial innovation goals and will focus on dairy, poultry, juice and egg production. The consolidation is part of the UAE’s wider efforts under its National Food Security Strategy 2051, which aims to enhance local food production capabilities and reduce import dependence. Hassan Safi, group CEO of AAFG, said the consolidation brings the best of each brand under one unified umbrella and its priority is to “deliver wholesome, high-quality, accessible nutrition to every home in the UAE—and extend that impact through collaborations with leading partners in integrated production, advanced R&D and automation.” AAFG outlined a five-year plan to scale up operations and invest in new technologies. Officials said the group will continue to supply a significant share of the UAE’s dairy and poultry needs, while also working on new product lines, including sugar-free and alternative protein products. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Gulf Insider, 5/23/25; Gulf News, 5/20/25)

Land O’Lakes President and CEO Beth Ford was named No. 12 on Fortune’s 2025 Most Powerful Women in Business list. This year’s recognition highlights Ford’s commitment to tackling challenges facing the agriculture industry, from advocating for legal immigration reform and advancing trade efforts, to improving access to healthcare and supporting the vitality of rural communities. She has served as president and CEO of Land O’Lakes since 2018. (Company reports)

The California dairy sector and Dairy Cares, a nonprofit coalition of California dairy leaders dedicated to sustaining dairy farming through environmental stewardship and responsible animal care, announced that this year the state's dairy farms will achieve an annual reduction of five million metric tons of methane (5 MMTCO2e/year). Achieving this milestone means the state's family dairy farms are more than two-thirds of the way to delivering their share of California's goal to reduce livestock methane emissions by 40% below 2013 levels by 2030. Strategies that California dairy farms have implemented to achieve this reduction include methane capture and reutilization with the use of dairy digesters, methane avoidance through more than 128 alternative manure management projects, and milk production efficiency combined with herd attrition to produce more milk with fewer cows. (Company reports)

Florida-based Firehouse Subs, owned by Restaurant Brands International, signed a franchise deal with Mexico-based restaurant operator Foodplay to develop 100 locations in Mexico over the next five years. The agreement is the latest in a series of deals to expand the brand internationally—the first Firehouse united in Brazil and Australia later this year. … Denmark-based Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) and Australia and New Zealand-based specialty food and beverage ingredients distributor Alchemy Agencies announced a new distribution partnership to serve the performance nutrition market in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. The agreement supports AFI’s strategy to expand sales in Southeast Asia and Oceania, and covers its range of premium nutrition ingredients. … Daisy Brand broke ground on a new 750,000-sq.-ft., $676-million sour cream and cottage cheese manufacturing plant in Boone, Iowa. The company initially announced the project last year. The company expects to complete construction in 2027, with the plant becoming fully operational the following year. (Company reports; Restaurant Business, 5/28/25; Dairy Herd Management, 5/23/25)

Vietnam’s Nutifood and Australia’s ViPlus Dairy formed a joint venture to co-found a new “international premium nutritional brand.” The joint venture, called ViPlus Nutritional Australia, will launch an Australian-standard premium dairy brand to be known as GippsNature. It will focus on nutritional products spanning all life stages, from children and adults to seniors, along with nutritional supplements. GippsNature will first roll out in Vietnam in the third quarter of this year, with a wider international launch to follow. (Business Daily Media, 6/3/25)

Denmark-based Arla Foods Ingredients signed a new distribution agreement with Brazil-based specialty ingredient and flavor solutions distributor MasterSense to bring its nutrition solutions to the Chilean market. The agreement expands a collaboration that began in Mexico in 2024 and covers Arla’s solutions in the performance nutrition and food and beverage segments—two key segments that both companies say have high potential for further development. (Company reports)

In a move to enhance product offerings and expand its market reach, Wisconsin-based Sartori Cheese announced the acquisition of California-based cheese and butter producer Rumiano Cheese. Sartori will maintain the cheesemaking division of Rumiano Cheese Co. in Crescent City. Meanwhile, as part of its strategic growth initiative to expand manufacturing efforts outside the upper Midwest, Wisconsin-based cheese packaging and distribution company Masters Gallery Foods purchased Rumiano's converting operation in Willows, California. Masters Gallery said Rumiano’s Northern California location will enable the company to service customers on the West Coast without the added freight costs associated with shipping products to and from Wisconsin. (Company reports)

Following the European success of Nestlé’s early-life-nutrition product Sinergity, the Switzerland-based food giant is rolling the product out in markets throughout Latin America and the Middle East, with launches in additional parts of Asia planned for later this year. Under the NAN brand, Sinergity combines probiotics with six human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) that the company says are structurally identical to those found in breastmilk. The company called Sinergity “a key innovation” in which it sees significant growth potential while addressing evolving consumer expectations and needs. (Company reports)

Minnesota-based General Mills announced that the regulatory review for the sale of its U.S. yogurt business to France-based Lactalis is complete and has been cleared. The companies are aiming for the deal to close in late June. (Company reports)

French dairy giant Danone said it plans to spend €6 million (about US$7 million) this year and next to increase output at its dairy factory in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan from 18,000 MT a year to 40,000 MT. The plant makes products sold under such brands as Activia, Danoninio and Danissimo, exporting about one-third to countries in the Caucasus, Central Asia and Mongolia. … FrieslandCampina’s Malaysian operational company Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (DLMI) unveiled its new state-of-the-art distribution center at its manufacturing facility, DLMI@Enstek, in Negeri Sembilan. The distribution center, which has a capacity of nearly 25,000 pallets, completes DLMI's production and distribution infrastructure on the 13-hectare site. … Finnish dairy company Valio said it will relocate the Kauhava factory operations it acquired from Raisio plc in March to Joensuu. The company estimates the Kauhava factory will be closed by the end of this year. … Egypt-based dairy products manufacturer Juhayna rolled out a new out-of-home ad campaign across Cairo to introduce its latest product—lactose-free milk (in fat-free and 3% fat variants). The high-visibility billboards emphasize the advantages of lactose-free milk in an effort to raise awareness about lactose intolerance and provide a solution for individuals already concerned about lactose. …After outgrowing its existing production site, Virginia-based Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches said it will relocate its production and corporate headquarters to a new 29,000-sq.-ft. facility in its home city of Richmond. … Danone also announced that Shane Grant, group deputy CEO, CEO Americas and executive vice president Dairy, Plant-Based and Global Sales, and a member of Danone’s Executive Committee, is stepping down effective June 13. Véronique Penchienati-Bosetta, Group Deputy CEO, will assume his duties in addition to her current responsibilities for the time being. … To focus resources on its core brands, France-based dairy company Bel Group said it will discontinue its plant-based cheese brand, Nurishh, by the end of 2025. As part of the closure, Bel Group will also shut down its Saint-Nazaire production site. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Company reports; Dairy Business Middle East & Africa, 5/26/25; Dairy Foods, 5/30/25; Just Food, 6/2/25; Vegconomist, 5/4/25)

Seattle-based dairy producer Darigold began receiving and processing milk at its new facility in Pasco, Washington. The new plant represents more than $1 billion in investment in Washington's dairy sector, including both construction and on-farm expansion. It will process up to 8 million lbs. of milk per day from more than 100 regional farms, producing butter and powdered milk products for customers across the U.S. and in some 30 countries worldwide. Meanwhile, Oregon’s Tillamook County Creamery Association began production at its new ice cream facility in Decatur, Illinois—its first outside its home state in more than a century of operation. The plant, which is expected to produce 15.5 million gallons a year as production scales, was built as part of the company’s efforts to gain access to its growing consumer base in the eastern U.S. (Company reports)

As urban Indian consumers become more health conscious, demand for protein is on the rise. In response, Indian dairy cooperative Amul is scaling its whey protein production efforts, further processing its whey for use in higher-protein versions of products like cheese, chocolate bars and ice cream. It’s also developing new products, including high-protein paneer flatbreads, sandwiches and lime water. To keep up with rising demand, a spokesman said the company is doubling the size of its whey protein plant in Palanpur and building two new protein facilities. Heightened Indian consumer interest in protein may also be helping boost U.S. high-protein whey exports after a down year in 2024. Through the first four months of 2025, U.S. high-protein whey shipments to India were up 9% (+132 MT). (Bloomberg, 6/9/25)

In its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, Canadian dairy processor Saputo reported 2025 revenues increased 4.6% and net earnings dropped 19.6%. The report noted improved performance in all of the company’s divisions except its Dairy Division (Argentina). It also said in Australia, results reflected an improved relationship between international cheese and dairy ingredient market prices and the cost of milk. Looking ahead, Saputo said the direct impact of trade-related tariffs on its business is expected to be “limited and manageable,” and that it anticipates organic sales growth in its U.S. sector and continued strong performance in Canada. The Europe sector is also expected to see an improved performance, supported by margin recovery initiatives including disciplined pricing and volume acceleration, the maturation of previously launched initiatives, and a continued focus on cost efficiency. (Company reports)

In a move to streamline its portfolio, Australia’s Maggie Beer Holdings agreed to sell its dairy subsidiary, Paris Creek Farms, to local group Katoomba Global Foods for AUD$500,000 (about US$326,000). The sale of Paris Creek Farms, whose product portfolio includes milk, butter, cheese and flavored yogurt, is expected to be completed next week. (Just Food, 6/10/25)

Vertically integrated dairy producer Youchan Husbandry is building a $70 million farm and processing facility in Jinchang City, Hebei Province. The company has not released details on what the plant will produce, but the company is known for fermented milk and other milk-based beveraqes. … To meet rising demand, Denmark-based dairy cooperative Arla Foods is investing €34.5 million (about US$39 million) in a new skyr production line in Linköping, Sweden. The new production line is scheduled to open in early 2028 and will primarily supply the Swedish market. … U.S. pizza chain Little Caesar’s plans to open its first Indian store this month in the Delhi National Capital Region this month and plans to have 100 Indian outlets by the end of the decade. The company says it is “thinking about hundreds and eventually thousands of stores over time,” in addition to expanding in Southeast Asia, the UAE and Brazil. (USDEC China office; Reuters, 6/9/25; FoodBev Media, 6/9/25)

In an effort to meet local demand and reduce the country’s reliance on imports, the Egypt Future Authority for Sustainable Development announced plans to build a $500-million factory to produce infant formula. The factory will be developed in partnership with the private sector, which will manage and operate the facility. A spokesperson for the authority said investment proposals had been received from Egyptian and Emirati companies, but no final decision on a partner has been reached. The factory is expected to begin operations in early 2027. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa Office; Egypt Daily News, 6/2/25)

After joining the list of potential bidders for Fonterra’s global consumer business, Australian dairy group Bega Cheese confirmed it is seeking informal regulatory approval for the potential acquisition. The company said it has advised the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that it intends to lodge an application ‘imminently’ for informal clearance. (FoodBev Media, 6/17/25)

Idaho-based Dairy West and Dairy Farmers of Washington announced a new partnership designed to broaden dairy representation in the region. The alliance, which will move forward under the Dairy West brand, aims to achieve greater efficiency and enhanced value for dairy producers in Washington, Idaho and Utah. It will be led by Dairy Farmers of Washington's executive director, Steve Seppi, who will become the new CEO of Dairy West. (Dairy Processing, 6/11/25)

Nigeria-based dairy manufacturer FrieslandCampina WAMCO announced it is partnering with the country’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to establish a dairy academy aimed at advancing Nigeria’s dairy sector. The academy will be located on a 20-hectare plot at Maya Farm in Oyo State and will serve as a specialized training hub for farmers and service providers. It will be equipped with a training hall, laboratory, cow sheds, hay barns, silage storage and essential farm machinery. The facility will provide training in modern dairy farming, milk hygiene, animal health and climate-smart agriculture and will also offer flexible courses alongside an intensive artificial insemination program. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Dairy Business Middle East & Africa, 6/11/25)

Danone announced the opening of a new $65 million production line in Jacksonville, Florida to meet increased demand for its coffee and creamer brands such as International Delight and STōK Cold Brew. The company is also investing in a new regional distribution center in the same area to help supply products to the Southeastern U.S. … Kentucky-based global fast-food operator Yum Brands has promoted Chris Turner, chief financial and franchise officer, to CEO, replacing the retiring David Gibbs. Turner is expected to assume the role on Oct. 1. (Company reports)

New Zealand’s Open Country Dairy expects to launch its first commercial butter within the next two months. The product, made possible by a multi-million-dollar investment at its Waharoa, North Island, cheese facility, also includes upgrades to whey processing capabilities that will allow higher-grade whey, the company says. Open Country says it hopes the project will help it meet rising global demand for both butter and high-protein whey. Additional projects are in the works for Open Country operations in Whanganui, North Island, where they are adding separators and a reverse osmosis facility, and Awarua, South Island, which might be getting a new cheese plant. (Rural News Group, 6/24/25)

New York-based Cayuga Milk Ingredients announced the opening of a two-phase, $270 million expansion project in the Town of Aurelius. In the first phase of the expansion, the Eagle Drive facility purchased and installed an ultra-high temperature (UHT)/aseptic low-acid packaging system and a new reverse-osmosis filtration system. The second phase added new machinery and equipment and expanded the facility’s wastewater treatment plant. The updated facility will enable the company to produce value-added products, including high-protein milk, powders and ultrafiltered dairy ingredients. Meanwhile, in Nebraska, DARI Processing broke ground on the state’s first new dairy processing plant in more than 60 years. The $186 million facility will be located on a 40-acre site within the Seward, Nebraska, Rail Campus. It will process approximately 1.8 million pounds of milk per day, producing shelf-stable dairy products targeted at several markets, including global export channels, schools and food banks. A company spokesman said the project will also “help keep 30% of the state’s milk production from being processed elsewhere.” The plant is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2027. (Morning AgClips, 6/18/25; Dairy Herd Management, 6/19/25)

Dutch retailer Albert Heijn launched a new range of dairy and plant milk blends that were developed through a partnership between Farm Dairy Netherlands and PlanetDairy Denmark. The product aims to combine the taste and nutrition of dairy with the environmental appeal associated with plant ingredients. The partnership plans to expand into yogurt blends next. (Company reports)

The proposed merger of Denmark-based Arla Foods and Germany’s DMK Group, which was announced earlier this year, was approved by the boards of both companies. The deal is now subject to regulatory approval, which is expected to be completed in early 2026. … Danone acquired Belgium’s The Akkermansia Co. to bolster its gut health business. In 2004, Akkermansia discovered and developed a biotic strain, Akkermansia muciniphila MucT™ that, the company says, reinforces the gut barrier, reduces inflammation, and counteract ametabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (Company reports)

China's Feihe Dairy and bakery company Ligao Foods reportedly established a joint venture known as Heli Dairy Co. in Inner Mongolia. The new company will focus on dairy processing and technological consultation. (USDEC China office)

In a move to expand capacity and gain efficiencies, Lactalis USA will invest more than $75 million to upgrade its two New York facilities. The Walton plant, which produces Breakstone’s sour cream and cottage cheese, will undergo a $15-million modernization focusing on automating and expanding the cottage cheese and sour cream production lines. The Buffalo plant produces Galbani ricotta, mozzarella and provolone cheese, along with whey powder for U.S. and export sales. Its $60-million expansion includes the installation of six 50,000-pound vats, an advanced cheese belt, separators, silos, and a robotic palletizer. The plan includes increasing mozzarella and provolone production by 37 million pounds annually. The projects are expected to be completed in 2027. (Office of New York Governor)

Denmark-based dairy giant Arla Foods is planning to invest €59.4 million (about US$70 million) to boost cream cheese production capacity at its Holstebro Dairy facility. The investment will lift plant capacity by an additional 16,000 MT per year to meet growing global demand. It will add two new filling lines for retail and foodservice, and includes upgrades to employee facilities. Arla expects to complete the project by January 2028. (European Supermarket Magazine, 6/30/25)

A subsidiary of Chinese premium ice cream brand Zhongxuegao, once dubbed the “Hermès of ice cream,” was placed under bankruptcy review after failing to pay down debt. Founded in 2018, Zhongxuegao positioned itself as a luxury alternative to traditional frozen treats. With single ice cream bars priced between 20 to 70 yuan (about US$2.75 to $9.60), with some limited-edition flavors selling for over 100 yuan (about US$13.75), it appealed to affluent urban consumers in search of high-end indulgence. But sales began dropping off in 2022, when those high prices began to attract public scrutiny, and have been falling ever since, as Chinese consumers shift their priorities away from indulgence toward value. (Sixth Tone, 6/17/25)

A group of shareholders from Ireland’s Dairygold met in Cork last week to raise concerns about the co-op’s governance, transparency and strategic direction. Organizers cited frustration over a lack of consultation on key decisions, such as board appointments and investment plans. They said the goal of the meeting was to create a forum for members to voice concerns and call for a more inclusive leadership approach. During the meeting, shareholders proposed a boycott of the Dairygold retail and agribusiness trading sectors. (Irish Farmer’s Journal, 6/26/25; eDairy News, 6/26/25)

Qatar-based dairy company Baladna recently made an exploratory visit to Nigeria’s Ogun State. A company statement said the visit was for fact-finding purposes and that “we are only exploring potential avenues for cooperation and there are no agreements or announced projects regarding a dairy investment in Ogun State, Nigeria.” During the visit, the state government presented its strengths, including available land, proximity to Lagos, and a favorable investment climate. (The Guardian, 6/25/25)

Japanese conglomerate Marubeni marked its entry into the U.S. ice cream manufacturing market with the acquisition of Arizona-based mochi-style ice cream maker Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts. … Minnesota-based General Mills finalized the sale of its U.S. yogurt business to France-based Lactalis Group. The divestiture includes yogurt brands including Yoplait, Go-Gurt, Oui, Mountain High and :ratio, along with manufacturing facilities in Tennessee and Michigan. To oversee the acquired brands and operations, Lactalis USA established a new division called Midwest Yogurt. (Just Food, 6/30/25; Company reports)

Netherlands-based FrieslandCampina Ingredients announced President Herman Ermens will retire after 42 years with the company on October 1. He will be succeeded by Anne Peter Lindeboom, who is currently managing director, innovation, within the business group. He has been with the company for 12 years and has a background in commercial and supply chain roles. … CFB Group, the Chinese Dairy Queen International franchisee, says that the Minnesota-based fast-food chain plans to open 800 new outlets in China in the next three years, with half of them franchised. They will consist of 650 ice cream stores, 100 handcraft cake shops, and 50 DQ Blizzard & Burgers. (USDEC China office; Company reports)

Australia’s Goulburn Valley Creamery (GVC) invested A$20 million (about US$13 million) to double capacity at its Kyabram, Victoria, facility to more than 100,000 MT of raw milk per year. The company manufactures milk concentrates, ESL milk, fresh and frozen cream, and other products, targeting export markets, including Southeast Asia. The investment, which was supported by a $10 million grant from the Victorian government, allowed GVC to diversify its product lineup and added storage capacity as well. (Company reports; eDairyNews, 6/24/25)

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) reportedly cleared a potential purchase of Fonterra Co-operative Group’s consumer and foodservice businesses by Lactalis. An informal probe found that such an acquisition was unlikely to result in a “substantial lessening of competition.” Lactalis has been cited as one of several potential buyers for the operation, which is valued at around NZ$4 billion (about US$2.4 billion). (Reuters, 7/10/25)

As part of its regional expansion strategy, Qatar-based agricultural company Baladna announced that its Board of Directors has approved a $250 million investment in an integrated industrial project to produce milk, dairy products and juices in the Syrian Arab Republic. The complex will also include a plastic packaging facility and a water treatment plant. The board also approved a plan to establish a new subsidiary in Egypt that will provide back-office support services to enhance Baladna’s operations across the Middle East and North African markets. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Qatar Tribune, 7/3/25)

To expand its presence in the Saudi Arabian market, Egyptian dairy company Juhayna Food Industries formed a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabian food distributor AlRashed Group. … In a move to strengthen its specialized nutrition portfolio, French dairy company Danone completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Kate Farms, a California-based maker of plant-based, organic nutrition products. … India-based Walko Food Co. acquired local ice cream business Meemee’s Ice Creams in a deal Walko officials said, marks its entry into India’s artisanal dessert market and further strengthens its portfolio of “innovative, handcrafted offerings.” … Australian private-equity firm Anacacia Capital acquired a majority stake in Australia-based dairy supplier Procal, which sells to retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales from a site in Melbourne. The firm characterized its role in the transaction as “helping retired founders to sell a majority stake and partner the next generation to take the business up a level.” (USDEC MENA Office; Zawya, 7/7/25; Company reports; Just Food, 6/26/25, 6/9/25)

Texas-based Southern Dairy said it is considering building a 300,000-square-foot, $250 million dairy processing facility on 40 acres of land outside Watertown, New York. The proposed plant would produce milk powders, whey protein concentrate and other dry dairy products like infant formula. The company is also evaluating locations in other areas of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic states and Midwest, but the New York site is reportedly its preferred location. … Australian ice cream maker Golden North announced plans to relocate its ice cream production to the former Beston Foods site in Murray Bridge. The company said the shift will allow for future growth, increased efficiency and product innovation while maintaining its South Australian identity. … Texas-based Hispanic cheese, meats and crema maker Cacique Foods appointed Pedro Silveira as its new CEO, succeeding Gil de Cardenas. Prior to joining Cacique Foods, Silveira was president of North America Ventures at Mondelez International and previously held leadership positions at Danone’s U.S. yogurt unit and Danone Canada. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Dairy News Today, 7/9/25; eDairyNews, 7/2/25; Dairy Processing, 7/8/25)

Australia’s Bega Cheese joined forces with Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina to acquire Fonterra Co-operative Group’s Mainland Group, which is composed of its consumer and foodservice businesses and Sri Lankan operations. Previously, reports were that Bega had been interested in a solo bid for the businesses, calling itself the “natural acquirer” for the operations. The Bega-FrieslandCampina consortium is reportedly up against Japan’s Meiji Holdings and France’s Lactalis, which recently secured Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regulatory clearance to pursue the purchase (see Global Dairy eBrief, 7/11/25). All three submitted bids earlier this month, but a second round of bidding could take place in the coming weeks. (Inside FMCG, 7/16/25; Food & Drink Business, 7/15/25)

The Kraft Heinz Co. is reportedly considering spinning off a large part of the grocery foods business it acquired with the 2015 merger of The H.J. Heinz Co. and Kraft Foods. The goal of such a move would be to streamline operations and focus investments on higher-margin products. Analysts said the potential split would likely involve spinning off a large part of its business into a new entity while sticking with products reporting strong growth. That would likely involve focusing on its sauces, condiments, meals and snacking brands including Kraft macaroni and cheese and Philadelphia cream cheese. Products that may be spun off into a new entity include coffee, meats and other cheese, including Velveeta products. In November 2021, the company sold portions of its cheese business to the Lactalis Group and Emmi Roth USA Inc. (Bloomberg, 7/14/25; Wall Street Journal, 7/11/25)

London-based consumer goods giant Unilever sold its Venezuelan ice cream business, including the Tio Rico ice cream brands and their office and factory, to automotive company Mack de Venezuela CA, which represents the Mack, Volvo and Dongfeng truck brands in the country. The sale was finalized July 3. … Nutrico Food Group, a subsidiary of Greek food group Vivartia, sold its Feta cheese business Dodoni to local peer Hellenic Dairies in a deal valued at approximately €205 million (about US$239 million). … As part of its strategy to expand in Europe, Austrian cheese company Rupp acquired Spain-based dairy and dairy-alternative maker Juan Martinez. Juan Martinez operates a production facility for processed cheeses, cream, and vegetarian and vegan offerings. The company will maintain its brand and workforce, and handle all Rupp operations in the region. (Just Food, 7/15/25, 7/14/25; Bloomberg News, 7/10/25)

China-based Junlebao Dairy is investing in a 15,000-liter ultra-high temperature (UHT) system designed to meet growing demand for its Freshjoy extended-shelf-life milk. The company expects to commission the system in September. … New Zealand boutique cheese maker Meyer Cheese is investing NZ$3.5 million (about US$2 million) in a new facility designed to boost capacity and enhance sustainability. The new facility will enable milk processing, cheesemaking, packaging, storage and delivery to come under one roof. … Danish bioproduction company 21st.Bio launched a new program to commercialize bovine alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-lac) using precision fermentation. The new version of the protein will use a microbial strain developed by Novonesis and aims to make the alternative more cost-competitive with traditional dairy sources. … Unilever appointed Jochanan Senf as the new CEO of Ben & Jerry's, effective immediately. He was previously managing director for Ben & Jerry's Europe. His appointment follows the controversial dismissal of former CEO Dave Stever, a move the independent board of Ben & Jerry's said was executed without their consent and breaches an agreement aimed at safeguarding the brand's independence and commitment to social activism. … India’s Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), which owns well-known dairy brand Amul, unveiled a new dairy federation called the Sardar Patel Co-operative Dairy Federation Ltd. (SPCDF). The new initiative aims to unite two million dairy farmers from more than 20,000 unregistered co-ops in an effort to expand the country’s dairy outputs and benefit local farmers nationwide. (USDEC China office; Rural News Group, 7/10/25; Dairy Processing, 7/11/25; FoodBev Media, 7/11/25; Food Dive, 7/11/25; Dairy News Today, 7/8/25)

In a move to boost production and strengthen ties with farmers, Müller UK & Ireland said it will make a £45 million (about US$53 million) investment in its Skelmersdale site, following the acquisition of Yew Tree Dairy. A company official said the investment will enhance the company’s liquid milk production capacity, capability and quality, while also creating a flagship facility for milk drying that will enable the site to increase powdered milk production by 30%. (Farming UK, 7/16/25)

China’s Meiji Dairy launched a new yogurt product designed to appeal to Chinese women with features including high protein, no sucrose and beauty care benefits. The product is available in two flavors -- plain and grapefruit -- and contains LB81 lactobacillus along with sodium hyaluronate to promote skin care. The yogurt will be sold in retail stores in first- and second-tier cities, as well as online shopping platforms like JD.com and T-mall. (USDEC China Office; Company reports)

Chinese dairy company Yili signed a cooperative contract with Baireyuan Goji Berries in China to launch more dairy products with health benefits by adding goji berries (also known as wolfberries) and other traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ingredients, such as milk powder with red ginseng and wolfberry. (USDEC China Office; Company reports)

Denmark-based Arla Foods Ingredients announced that its milkfat globule membrane (MFGM) ingredient has been approved in Australia to be used in infant formula products, and that the company has obtained exclusive commercialization rights. Lacprodan MFGM-10 is the first early-life nutrition product from Arla Foods Ingredients to be approved in Australia. (Company reports)

Lactalis Canada said it will shut down its plant-based manufacturing facility in Sudbury, Ontario, on December 12. The closure marks the company’s full exit from the plant-based beverage category. A company statement said continuing operations at the site, which was converted to a fully plant-based facility in June 2024, is “no longer financially viable and sustainable business for Lactalis Canada,” due to “a shift in market dynamics and the challenges associated with the broader economic climate, all of which have led to a sustained decline in the plant-based beverage category’s performance.” (FoodBev Media, 7/22/25)

Dutch dairy co-operative FrieslandCampina reported revenue growth of 6.4% and a 20.6% increase in operating profit in the first half of its 2025 financial year. The dairy giant attributed the growth to good performance in its Specialised Nutrition and Ingredients divisions, as well as cost savings achieved by its Expedition 2030 and Performance+ programs. Looking ahead, CEO Jan Derck van Karnebeek said that “ongoing economic uncertainty is expected to put pressure on profit in the second half of 2025, resulting in a lower outcome.” (Company reports)

To expand its presence in eastern India, India-based dairy company Dodla Dairy Ltd. agreed to acquire peer HR Food Processing, which is known for its Osam brand, for Rs2.71 billion (about US$32 million). (Food Infotech, 7/21/25)

Nestlé launched its Milo Pro high-protein drink and powder in Indonesia, with a focus on providing energy to help teenagers and young adults sustain their active lifestyles. First introduced in Australia in 2023, Milo Pro is set to roll out across Southeast Asia in 2026. … Polish dairy cooperative Mlekpol said it will invest 400 million zlotys (about US$110 million) in its Grajewo plant to increase cheese production. The investment will be made between 2025 and 2029 to expand storage infrastructure, add new cheese packaging lines, update equipment and automate processes. (Company reports; Just Food, 7/11/25)

Germany-based GEA entered a strategic partnership with Algeria and Qatari dairy and food producer Baladna to build a large integrated dairy farming and milk powder facility in Algeria’s Adrar province. With an investment estimated between €140-170 million (about US$163-198 million), the project, which is being described as “the world's largest integrated dairy facility,” aims to strengthen regional food security in Algeria—a major milk powder importer. It is expected to produce around 100,000 MT of milk powder annually. It will integrate farming, processing, and packaging on-site. Construction is set to begin in early 2026, with production starting in late 2027. (Company reports)

Nestlé Health Science and Hyundai Department Store Group opened a retail store in South Korea that sells customized health supplements and services. The store, which is located in the Hyundai Department Store in Seoul, uses digital tools to help customers understand factors about their health status—including body composition and micronutrient intake levels—and choose customized product recommendations. It is staffed with “health consultants” who have completed specialized training and can recommend products based on the data collected. It also sells about 120 SKUs of supplements from eight key Nestlé Health Science brands. The new store is part of a business alliance Nestlé and Hyundai Department Store entered in 2023, designed to capitalize on the growing functional food market in South Korea. (Company reports)

Vietnam’s growing infant formula market is highly competitive, but local dairy company Vinamilk believes that there are opportunities to break through via product differentiation, premiumization and smart retail strategies. That’s the message of Vinamilk Chief Marketing Officer Tri Nguyen Quang, who spoke at July’s Growth Asia Summit in Singapore. To learn more about his take on trends and opportunities in Vietnam’s infant formula market, read the full article here. (NutraIngredients Asia, 7/22/25)

In its H1 2025 results, Switzerland-based Nestlé reported sales fell nearly 2% to 44.2 billion Swiss francs (about US$55.6 billion), and net profit fell 10% to 5.1 billion Swiss francs (about US$6.4 billion). The dairy segment recorded a sales drop of nearly 7%. The company reported that Milk Products and Ice Cream posted 1.1% organic growth, driven by Nestlé and La Lechera dairy culinary brands, with coffee creamers returning to positive territory in Q2. Infant Nutrition sales declined, as strong growth for NAN was more than offset by a drop in Gerber sales. Regionally, dairy growth was led by NAN and Milo in Asia, Oceania & Africa as well as in Europe, while coffee creamers improved in North America. Looking ahead, the company says it has “maintained our guidance for 2025, while recognizing increased macroeconomic risks and uncertainties.” (Company reports)

Danone’s first-half 2025 sales rose 4.2% to €13,737 million (about US$15.9 billion) from the previous year on a like-for-like (LFL) basis, with recurring net income increasing 5.9%. China, North Asia & Oceania led the company’s growth, with LFL sales increasing 11.3%, driven by double-digit gains in Specialized Nutrition and continued momentum in Waters and Dairy, particularly in Japan. In Europe, Specialized Nutrition and new launches in the Essential Dairy and Plant-based (EDP) category, including High Protein and drinkable yogurt, drove LFL sales to increase 2.2%. This growth was also a result of the strong performance of dairy and functional brands, including High Protein, Skyr and Kefir. The company said 2025 guidance is in line with the mid-term ambition of LFL sales growth between +3% and +5%, with recurring operating income growing faster than sales. (Company reports)

Nigerian dairy manufacturer Cam Dairy Foods ceased operations, citing economic challenges including unreliable electricity, poor cold-chain logistics, and a lack of supportive trade policies. Founder and CEO Aisha Bashir said the company “explored every option,” but could not secure the funding needed to keep growing and serving Nigerian households. … Indian dairy products company Milky Mist Dairy Food filed a prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for a proposed initial public offering valued at US$236 million. The company plans to use the proceeds from the share issue to repay loans and expand and modernize its Perundurai manufacturing facility. … To stand out in the highly competitive Chinese probiotic market, Japan’s Morinaga Milk said it is pursuing new opportunities for its probiotic ingredients to be used in infant nutrition, weight management and cognitive support. … Infant nutrition company Bubs Australia named Joe Coote as its new CEO, effective immediately. Coote, a former executive at Fonterra and CEO of Darigold, succeeds Reg Weine, who left the company after less than a year in the position. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa Office; Dairy Business Africa, 7/22/25; Reuters, 7/21/25; NutraIngredients Asia, 7/7/25;Company reports)

As part of its streamlining of European operations, Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina said it is selling its Romanian subsidiary to Hungary-based agricultural and food conglomerate Bonafarm Group. The deal includes FrieslandCampina’s stake in the entity in Romania that owns the Napolact brand, as well as the associated production sites located in Cluj-Napoca and Târgu Mureș. The company said in a statement that its Romanian operations “lacked synergy with its European portfolio and did not optimally valorize the milk from its member dairy farmers.” The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, but is expected to close by the end of this year. (Company reports)

Chinese-owned dairy formula processor Yashili, which operates a plant in Pōkeno, New Zealand, reported a loss of NZ$23.5 million (about US$14 million) for the 12 months ended December 2024, marking its fifth consecutive year of losses. Revenues for the company, which is owned by China’s Mengniu Dairy, also fell. Yashili’s revenue for the same period was $57.9 million (about US$34 million), a steep drop from $92 million (about US$54 million) in 2023. The performance has led to speculation about the future of the Yashili plant, with some analysts discussing a potential acquisition by the a2 Milk Co., which already has an existing manufacturing relationship with Yashili. (eDairy News, 8/4/25)

Synlait Milk Ltd. said it is forecasting a reported net loss after tax of between NZ$27 million (about US$16 million) and NZ$40 million (about US$24 million) for the year ending in July 2025, a significant improvement from the NZ$182.1 million (about US$107 million) loss it posted a year earlier. The New Zealand-based dairy processor, which embarked on a strategic review last year, also projected underlying EBITDA between NZ$100 million (about US$59 million)and NZ$110 million (about US$65 million) for the full year, with the midpoint marking more than double last year’s NZ$45.2 million (about US$27 million)—another sign that the operational reset is beginning to show results. CEO Richard Wyeth said Synlait is tracking in line with expectations and is confident of a successful turnaround. The company will announce its official FY25 results in September. (Company reports)

As part of its global growth plan, Poland- and Dubai-based dessert brand Milky Ice Cream launched its flagship cafes in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The company said the cafes will offer a curated menu of ice cream, specialty desserts, gourmet coffee, and signature drinks developed in collaboration with top Polish brands. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office, Dairy Business Middle East & Africa, 7/29/25)

Saputo Cheese USA opened a new 311,000-square-foot cold storage distribution facility in Caledonia, Wis., to strengthen its supply chain across the U.S. … To capitalize on the growing Hispanic cheese market, Kansas-based Dairy Farmers of America acquired W&W Dairy in Monroe, Wis. The acquisition includes the W&W Dairy business, its licensed brands and a manufacturing facility that produces traditional Hispanic cheese products, including queso fresco, cotija, queso blanco, quesadilla, panela and para freír. … Goldman Sachs is reportedly seeking a €15 billion stake (about US$17 billion) in England-based ice cream maker Froneri. The deal, which could be signed as soon as September, would involve Goldman's asset management division becoming the lead investor in a continuation vehicle established by French private equity firm PAI Partners. … The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission began an informal review of Bega Cheese’s proposed acquisition of Fonterra Co-operative Group’s consumer and foodservice businesses (see Global Dairy eBrief, 7/18/25). … New Jersey-based Schuman Cheese and Washington-based Good Planet Foods announced a joint venture to create GPV Foods LLC, to expand their presence in the plant-based dairy market. The new entity combines Schuman’s Vevan plant-based cheese brand with Good Planet’s retail business. (Company reports; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/1/25; Dairy Herd Management, 8/4/25; FoodBev Media, 8/4/25)

Honduras-based food and beverage company Lacthosa is building a $150-million milk processing plant with support from the country’s National Investment Council. The new plant will replace a 70-year-old facility in an effort to establish a more modern and efficient infrastructure to expand the production capacity of the Honduran dairy sector. … UNC Dairy (formerly known as Upstate Niagara Cooperative) announced it will close its manufacturing facility in Rochester, N.Y., by the end of 2025. The New York-based dairy cooperative cited changing market conditions and declining demand for fresh fluid milk for the closure. Production at the facility will be absorbed by other UNC Dairy plants in its network. … Argentinian dairy company La Ramada announced a $12 million investment plan to reopen a key facility in Córdoba and expand production lines for long-life milk and packaged cream at its industrial complex in Franck. The initiative aims to diversify the company's product portfolio and introduce its own brand, Regina, into the mass consumer market. … Seattle-based Darigold Inc. is proposing upgrades to its Spokane plant that include the construction and installation of five new 60,000-gallon raw milk tank silos and two new 10,000-gallon raw milk tank silos, plus an adjacent, enclosed equipment support room. … New Jersey-based Tropical Cheese named Vic Mehren as its new CEO, effective Sept. 2. Mehren recently stepped down as CEO of Michigan-based snacks and treats business Second Nature Brands and has also held senior executive positions at Mars and Wrigley. (Company reports; Dairy News Today, 8/5/25; Dairy Herd Management, 8/1/25; Spokane Journal of Business, 7/31/25)

To meet rising demand for cheese in global markets, New Zealand-based Fonterra Co-operative Group is expanding cheese production capacity at its Eltham manufacturing site on the North Island. The dairy company is upgrading its production lines for processed cheese and adding a new shift for individually quick frozen (IQF) mozzarella that will increase IQF mozzarella capacity by 6,000 MT. The site specializes in producing cheese products for the co-op’s foodservice business, with products exported to more than 50 countries and used by restaurant brands, including McDonald’s and Pizza Hut. A company official said demand for these products is surging across Asia, predominantly in markets like China, Southeast Asia and North Asia.

Meanwhile, it was reported that French dairy giant Lactalis has gone into exclusive negotiations to acquire Fonterra’s global consumer businesses, including its Anchor and Mainland brands. Such a sale would end the possibility of the businesses, now known as Mainland Group, being sold in an initial public offering on the NZX exchange. Other bidders for the business reportedly include Japan’s Meiji and Australia’s Bega Group. A statement from Fonterra said that because the company is in a confidential and competitive sale process with multiple interested parties, “we won’t be commenting on speculation.” (Company reports; Interest.co.nz, 8/11/25; The Post, 8/10/25; Farmers Weekly, 8/4/25)

In its results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2025, Canadian dairy processor Saputo reported a record first-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $426 million (about US$309 million), a gain of 11% from the previous year. Revenues for the period ticked up 0.5%, driven by higher selling prices in both domestic and international cheese and dairy ingredient markets. The company saw meaningful improvements in its largest operating sectors, Canada and the U.S., driven by strong commercial initiatives and operational efficiencies. International and Europe sectors delivered year-over-year improvements, supported by robust volumes and improving market fundamentals—but the company cited challenges, including reduced milk availability in Australia due to drought conditions and higher milk costs in Argentina, as affecting results. Looking ahead, Saputo said it expects continued growth in adjusted EBITDA and net earnings, supported by strong operating cash flow and strategic investments. (Company reports)

Bel Group reported consolidated net sales rose 3.2% on an organic basis in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period the previous year. Recurring operating income dropped 19.3%, a decline the company attributed to rising raw material costs that it has not fully passed on to consumers. Bel’s North American sales increased nearly 6% and European sales rose 2.3%. North Africa and Middle East sales, affected by “macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties,” posted a 0.2% increase. The core brands’ performance was solid, with Kiri first-half sales rising 8.2% YOY, Mini Babybel up 6.1% and Boursin up 7.3%. New categories continued to grow (+3.8%), driven in part by acceleration of the cheese business in China, which recorded a 23% increase. In the second half of the year, Bel said it will continue its investment strategy in its core brands to support their development, accessibility and performance in its strategic markets. (Company reports)

In its half-year results for the period ended July 5, 2025, Irish nutrition company Glanbia reported that group revenues were $1.93 billion, an increase of 6% from HY 2024, and group EBITDA (before exceptional items) was $241.3 million, a decrease of 7.5%. Performance Nutrition (PN) saw a revenue decline of 3.8%, a drop the company attributed to elevated whey costs. But Health & Nutrition (H&N) revenue jumped 18% and Dairy Nutrition (DN) revenue rose 14.1%. The company raised its full-year guidance to the range of 130 to 133 cents—up from previous expectations of 124 to 130 cents—and said, “The category trends remain positive, and we expect to see continued improvement in volumes across PN in the second half of the year, with continued momentum in H&N and DN.” (Company reports)

Australia’s TasFoods Ltd. plans to divest its Pyengana Dairy business in a move aimed at reallocating resources to bolster its poultry operations. The company entered into a non-binding option agreement with its major shareholder, MSC ATF AgFood Opportunities Fund, in a deal valued at roughly A$2 million (about US$1.3 million). (Company reports)

China’s Wahaha Group is building a new $140 million manufacturing plant in Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. The plant will manufacture milk beverages, tea beverages and juice. … Shake Shack, in partnership with licensee Maxim’s Caterers Ltd., plans to open its first unit in Vietnam in 2026 and 15 stores by 2035. Maxim’s has a total of 2,000 outlets globally throughout China and Southeast Asia, with names like The Cheesecake Factory and Starbucks. ... Colorado-based Horizon Organic Dairy announced it will now be doing business as Horizon Family Brands. The company said the change will provide flexibility to pursue new innovation and growth opportunities. … After France-based Yoplait filed a lawsuit in Ireland against Danone alleging the company imitated Yoplait’s Skyr yogurt range with its own product (see Global Dairy eBrief, 4/18/25), an Irish appeals court upheld an injunction against Danone, preventing it from launching the yogurt product in Ireland. … British frozen treat brand Doughlicious raised $5 million to accelerate its expansion across the U.S. and other international markets. The funding round was led by Rich Products Ventures, the corporate venture capital fund of global food company Rich Products, and private investor collective The Angel Group, while also seeing participation from existing investors. (USDEC China office; Company reports; Nation’s Restaurant News, 8/12/25; Dairy News Today, 8/12/25; FoodBev Media, 8/11/25)

France-based Lactalis is paying NZ$3.8 billion (about US$2.2 billion) for Fonterra Co-operative Group’s global Consumer and associated businesses. The deal includes Fonterra’s global Consumer business (excluding Greater China) and Consumer brands; the integrated Foodservice and Ingredients businesses in Oceania and Sri Lanka; and the Middle East and Africa Foodservice business. There is a possibility that the selling price will rise another NZ$375 million if Bega Cheese licenses held by Fonterra Australia are included. Those licenses are currently part of a dispute between Fonterra and Bega, who was also a suitor for the Consumer businesses. As part of the sale agreement, Fonterra will continue to supply milk and other products to the divested businesses. Fonterra said it opted for a sale, as opposed to an IPO spin-off, because of the strong valuation for the businesses and a faster return of capital to the co-op’s co-owners. (Company reports; Bloomberg, 8/21/25)

New Zealand’s dairy sector is seeing a wave of acquisition activity involving significant deals in the infant formula market. As part of its strategy to increase market share in China, A2 Milk Co. acquired a nutritional manufacturing facility in Pokeno owned by China’s Yashili for NZ$282 million (about US$168 million). A2 Milk managing director David Bortolussi said the acquisition positions A2 Milk for greater access to the NZ$23 billion China-label infant milk formula (CL IMF) market through control of two existing product registrations for CL IMF that can be amended to expand the A2 Milk branded portfolio, with the potential of a third registration over time. He also said the company intends to invest NZ$100 million in a multi-year capital investment program to increase capacity and enhance capabilities at the new site. The deal comes as A2 Milk reported record sales and double-digit growth in its FY 2025 results. The company saw revenues rise 13.5% to NZ$1.9 billion (about US$1.1 billion) and EBITDA jump 17.1% on the back of strong infant milk formula growth in China. Bortolussi said the company continued to grow market share in China to record levels (i.e., from 7.1% to 8%) Thanks to the strong performance of its infant milk formula business, which expanded 10% for the year, driven by the company’s English-label business, which was up 17%. In conjunction with the acquisition, A2 said it will divest its 75% stake in Mataura Valley Milk to Open Country Dairy for approximately NZ$100 million (about US$59 million). A2 Milk’s minority partner, China Animal Husbandry Group, is also selling its 25% shareholding in Mataura to Open Country. Bortolussi said the sale optimizes asset footprint and capacity utilization while maintaining access to high quality A1-protein-free ingredients from the site. The acquisition agreement includes a commercial supply agreement under which Mataura Valley Milk site will continue processing A1-protein-free milk to produce milk powder for A2 Milk. An Open Country official said the site’s high-tech design is a strategic investment that gives the company the opportunity to “produce a different array of higher value products that will complement our current Awarua site product range.” At the same time, New Zealand’s Synlait Milk is reportedly talking to a possible buyer of its manufacturing plant in Pokeno. A company statement said it is in discussions with a party about its North Island assets, with the potential buyer reported to be Illinois-based Abbott Laboratories, which is already a customer of the factory. Last year, when Synlait reviewed the North Island operations as part of its financial rebuilding, it decided to retain the Pokeno plant but said it would be open to a “compelling offer” for the facility. Now, with its key customer A2 Milk making its own Pokeno acquisition, Synlait may see a reduction in business. A company statement said Synlait would provide further information as required by NZX rules, but otherwise would not respond to further media speculation and “there is no certainty that a transaction will occur.” (Company reports; Radio New Zealand, 8/19/25; Rural News Group, 8/18/25)

To help keep its European business competitive, Colorado mozzarella cheese manufacturer Leprino Foods Co. said it plans to close its Portlaoise cheese manufacturing plant in Ireland in the second half of next year. The decision follows what a company statement called “a comprehensive evaluation of all possible options to improve the financial and operational performance” of the site, which supplies pizza manufacturers and both quick-service and full-service restaurants. Production of mozzarella and string cheese conducted at Portlaoise will be transitioned to two other Leprino factories located in Magheralin, Northern Ireland, and Llangefni in Wales. (Just Food, 8/20/25)

Arla Foods plans to invest €50.9 million (about US$56 million) in its Bahrain facility to expand its production of spreadable cheese in glass jars for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. The Denmark-based dairy cooperative said the project, which is expected to increase output by roughly 30%, includes warehouse facilities, rooftop solar panels, and an updated cooling system. Construction is expected to begin at the end of the year. (Company reports)

Significant first-half 2025 growth has put Yili Group-owned dairy companies operating in New Zealand on track for strong revenue growth for the full year. Westland Milk Products and Oceania Dairy in New Zealand reported an unaudited 16% year-on-year revenue increase and 12% before-tax profit growth in the first half of 2025, with continued gains expected into 2026. Executive director Zhiqiang Li said Westland’s Hokitika and Rolleston sites and Oceania’s Glenavy facility have undergone significant investment to capitalize on surging global demand for high-value products. He added that both Westland and Oceania, which operate under a co- operative external sales arrangement, are well positioned to build revenue growth off the back of the increased production capacity. (Farmers Weekly, 8/12/25)

Qatari dairy and juice company Baladna reported “exceptional H1 results” for the six months ending June 30, 2025. Net profit surged 229% YOY to QAR331 million (about US$91 million), an increase mainly attributed to substantial gains from its international investments and portfolio diversification. Revenues rose 8% to QAR642.5 million (about US$176 million), primarily driven by strong performance in evaporated milk and continued contribution from newly launched SKUs and wider distribution. Baladna also announced the appointment of Marek Warzywoda as group CEO. Warzywoda has over 20 years of global leadership experience at Lactalis, where he headed operations in Poland, Brazil, Croatia, South Africa and, most recently, Saudi Arabia. The company said his appointment “marks an important milestone for Baladna, as the company sharpens its focus on international expansion and long-term value creation.” (Company reports)

After two rounds of failed acquisition talks, Illinois-based kefir and probiotic products manufacturer Lifeway Foods and Danone North America have entered fresh discussions. Both companies have signed a non-disclosure agreement, suggesting the serious nature of these talks. (Dairy News Today, 8/19/25)

Minnesota-based dairy cooperative First District Association (FDA) appointed Glenn Kaping as president and CEO, effective immediately. Kaping, who has served as the co-op’s chief financial officer since April 2021, succeeds Bob Huffman, who announced his resignation earlier in the month. … German dairy group Ehrmann plans to spend £20 million (about US$27 million) to build a chilled-desserts plant at the Trewithen Dairy facility in Lostwithiel, England, it acquired last year. The plant currently makes milk, butter and cream. The new lines will replace products Ehrmann currently ships to the UK from Germany. … Fonterra Co-operative Group discontinued its range of A2 milk in New Zealand, opting to focus instead on producing fast-growing lactose-free options. The decision came after a new agreement that ensures a stable supply of A1-free milk to A2 Milk Co. … Dairy tech firm Kovalus Separation Solutions announced the closure of its manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Last June, Kovalus announced it would build a $20 million assembly factory in Mexico to expand its production of certain filtration membranes by 50%. At the time, the company said that all manufacturing operations would remain in Wilmington. (Company reports; Just Food, 8/19/25; Farmers Weekly, 8/19/25; MassLive, 8/18/25)

Following last week’s announcement that France-based Lactalis would pay NZ$3.8 billion (about US$2.2 billion) for Fonterra Co-operative Group’s global Consumer and associated businesses, the selling price rose another NZ$375 million with the inclusion of Bega Cheese licenses held by Fonterra Australia. Fonterra informed NZX (New Zealand’s stock exchange) that the dispute related to the Bega licenses had been resolved, bringing the final sale price to NZ$4.22 billion (about US$2.5 billion). (Company reports)

In its fiscal year 2025 annual results, Australia’s Bega Cheese reported significant growth in its Branded segment and a return to profitability in its Bulk segment. The company achieved a normalized EBITDA of A$202 million (about US$131 million), reflecting a 23% increase from the previous year, driven by strategic restructuring and cost-saving initiatives. Revenue ticked up 0.5% YOY to AU$3.5 billion (about US$2.3 billion). The company said operational highlights of the results included strong volume growth in branded white milk, yogurt and spreads, and the successful launch of branded high-protein and “better for you” products. Looking ahead, Bega said it anticipates continued growth in the Branded segment and stable returns in the Bulk segment in FY2026, supported by new product launches and manufacturing efficiencies. (Company reports)

In its half-year 2025 results, Switzerland-based Emmi Group reported group sales of CHF 2,272.4 million (about US$2.8 billion), up 12.7% from the previous year. The company attributed the increase in part to the October 2024 acquisition of Mademoiselle Desserts Group, and said sales developed particularly well in Brazil, Chile and Mexico, as well as the ready-to-drink coffee and premium desserts categories. EBITDA increased about 13% to CHF 223.1 million (about US$277 million), an increase the company said Mademoiselle also contributed to, with the dessert business making a higher contribution to earnings in the second half of the year due to seasonal factors. Looking to the rest of the year, the company confirmed its earnings guidance and said it expects slightly higher organic growth of 2-3%, up from 1.5-2.5%, driven by the growth markets of the division Americas. (Company reports)

Chinese formula maker Hard Einstein opened a new manufacturing plant in Qingyuan, Guangdong Province, to make formula for children older than three. The facility’s capacity is 15,000 MT per year. … In a move to facilitate quicker decision-making and enhance the company's ability to respond to local market demands, France-based Danone announced it will consolidate its corporate structure from five geographic regions into three: EMEA (Europe, Turkey, the Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific, and the Americas. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, Danone will also operate under a new leadership model with three regional presidents: Pablo Perversi for EMEA, Bruno Chevot for Asia Pacific and Henri Bruxelles for the Americas. … Meanwhile, Danone North America said it will expand its Minster, Ohio, yogurt factory, which produces brands such as Oikos, Activia, Dannon and Danimals, to meet growing consumer demand. The company said the “multi-million-dollar investment” includes a 48,000 square-foot facility expansion, a new production line and upgrades to existing lines. The company also said it plans to buy 60% more milk for the Minster facility over the next two years. … Eight years after shutting down in India, Louisville, Ky. and Atlanta-based pizza chain Papa John’s International said it will return to the country with a plan to open 650 stores over the next 10 years. The first outlet is planned for Bengaluru by October of this year. … Chick-fil-A plans to open its first restaurant in Singapore later this year, the start of a 10-year, $75 million investment in the market. … Canadian cell-based dairy-alternative producer Opalia and Dutch dairy trader Hoogwegt announced a two-year partnership to develop and distribute cell-based dairy-alternatives including milk, cheese and ice cream. (USDEC China office; Company reports; Reuters, 8/26/25; Nation’s Restaurant News, 8/26/25)

The latest Global Dairy Top 20 shows that eight dairy companies have changed positions within the list and that France’s Lactalis continues to pull away from the pack with dairy turnover of $31.9 billion. Rounding out the top five were Nestlé, $23.9 billion; Dairy Farmers of America, $23 billion; Danone, $20.7 billion, and Yili with $15.8 billion.

Arla Foods overtook Fonterra to claim the sixth spot on the list with dairy turnover of $15 billion compared to $14.7 billion for Fonterra. Saputo climbed to 10^th place on the list by recording an 8.4% YOY revenue growth — the strongest growth rate increase among the top 20 dairy companies.

The combined turnover of all companies in the Top 20 list was just 0.6% in US dollar terms. With significant merger and acquisition activity expected for 2025-26, RaboResearch says it expects only about half the companies listed today to maintain their positions in 2026. Rabobank also described Lactalis’ appetite for acquisition as “insatiable” with larger acquisitions already in the pipeline. To see the full Top 20 list, click here. (RaboBank)

New Zealand’s Open Country Dairy (OCD) agreed to acquire its Māori-owned milk-processing peer Miraka for an undisclosed sum. OCD CEO Mark de Lautour said the acquisition aligns with the company’s goal to increase its presence across the Central North Island. While both companies are engaged in milk processing to produce milk powders and dairy ingredients, OCD also makes cheeses under its own brand, and Miraka produces its namesake line of UHT milk as well as acting as a co-manufacturer. Miraka will retain its brand name and continue operating under its own identity. Individual milk supply agreements will also remain unaffected. (Company reports)

China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd. reported first-half 2025 revenues dropped 6.9% from the previous year to about 41,567 million yuan (about US$5.81 million). Gross profit margin rose 1.4% percentage points to 41.7%, while its operating profit margin climbed 1.5 points to 8.5%. The company said it drove innovation and transformation through three key engines: product innovation, channel upgrades, and lean management. During this period, the company launched more than 100 new products and achieved growth across its chilled yogurt, fresh milk, milk formula, cheese, and ice cream segments. Mengniu also transformed its distribution strategy through RTM restructuring, online-offline integration, and the rapid development of a comprehensive “omnichannel ecosystem.” Looking ahead, CEO Gao Fei said with the current supply-demand imbalance steadily mitigating, the dairy industry has reached a critical stage of bottoming out and recovery, and Mengniu will continue to adhere to its strategy to “achieve high-quality development across the entire product chain, and continuously strengthen core capabilities in brand leadership, R&D innovation, digital transformation, and channel upgrading.” (Company reports)

The government of the Mexican state of Chihuahua announced an investment of more than 48 million pesos (about US$2.6 million) aimed at boosting the local dairy sector. The goal of the investment is to enhance farm infrastructure and the quality of raw milk to make local farms more competitive nationwide. The investment will target projects that directly benefit producers, including modernization of milking equipment, improvement of refrigeration systems and access to technologies to increase production efficiency. It also aims to strengthen milk quality and safety by investing in advanced refrigeration systems and producer training. (Dairy News Today, 9/2/25)

Following speculation about a potential breakup, the Kraft Heinz Co. said it plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded businesses by the second half of 2026. The company said the move, which is structured as a tax-free spin-off, is designed to give each company a sharper focus and reduce complexity. The first of the two resulting companies, which will be renamed later, will be Global Taste Elevation Co.—a business with about $15.4 billion in 2024 net sales and a portfolio that includes Heinz, Philadelphia, and Kraft Mac & Cheese, with roughly three-quarters of sales from sauces, spreads, and seasonings. The second business, also to be renamed, will be North American Grocery Co.—a business with about $10.4 billion in 2024 net sales that will house brands including Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles, and Lunchables, with about 75% of sales from category leaders. Kraft Heinz CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera will become CEO of the North American Grocery Co. when the separation is complete. A search is underway for the CEO of the Global Taste Elevation Co. (Company reports)

Uganda-based dairy manufacturer Lato Milk signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan-based Marubeni Corp. to explore potential investments and partnerships for expanding its dairy businesses in Uganda and Kenya. … Minnesota-based Bongards’ Creameries said current chief operating officer Dennis Thomas will assume the role of president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2026, succeeding the retiring Daryl Larson. Before joining Bongards’, Thomas held various general management positions at Dairy Farmers of America, Foremost Farms, Land O’Lakes, and Kraft Foods. … Swiss food giant Nestlé fired CEO Laurent Freixe after just a year in the job for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate that breached Nestlé's code of business conduct. Freixe was replaced by Nespresso chief Philipp Navratil, who began his career with Nestlé in 2001. … Sunny Liang, CEO and director of Australian milk powders business Jatcorp, resigned from the business effective immediately. Executive director Dr. Sean Li has stepped into the role until a permanent replacement is found. (USDEC international offices; Dairy Business Africa, 8/27/25; Dairy Herd Management, 8/28/25; Company reports; Just Food, 9/3/25)

During its first Capital Markets Day held in London, Unilever’s soon-to-be-demerged ice cream business, the Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), outlined its growth strategy and financial ambitions alongside a revamped organizational structure. Key initiatives of the growth strategy include diversification of product offerings, competitive pricing implementation, leveraging digital marketing, and operational efficiency enhancements such as supply chain optimizations and overhead reductions. The information came on the heels of an announcement by Ben & Jerry’s co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield publicly urging the board of the newly formed company to allow their brand to operate independently, a request TMICC responded to by saying the brand is not currently for sale. The demerger is expected to be finalized by mid-November. (FoodBev Media, 9/10/25)

In its first-half 2025 results, China Feihe reported a 9.4% decline in revenue compared to the same period last year. The company attributed the decrease to consumer childbirth subsidies it granted earlier this year, channel inventory reduction efforts, and a decrease in government grants compared to previous years. Feihe net profit also dropped 46% year-over-year, with the company citing higher production costs stemming from more expensive raw materials, including WMP, SMP and light cream. Looking ahead, the company projects a “low single-digit increase” in revenue for the full fiscal 2025. (NutraIngredients Asia, 9/1/25)

Australian infant formula maker Bubs Australia reported its first annual profit, recording statutory after-tax profit of A$5.5 million (about US$3.6 million) for the year ended June 30, 2025—a turnaround from a loss of A$21 million (about US$13.9 million) in the previous year. Net revenue rose 29% YOY. The U.S., described as the company’s “best performing market,” contributed A$53.1 million (about US$35 million) to revenues. Bubs Australia said its U.S. sales rose 52%, driven by growth in the "premium" and goat infant-milk formula segments. In China, sales rose 22% on strong cross-border ecommerce sales and expansion into 1,315 stores through online-to-offline channel. Strong performances in Japan and Vietnam boosted net revenue in Bubs’ rest of the world markets by 44% YOY. (Company reports)

As Starbucks moves forward with plans to sell a “meaningful” stake in its China operations, it was reported that most of the interested parties invited to submit non-binding bids have presented offers valuing the business at as much as $5 billion, or about 10 times its 2025 EBITDA. The offers would let Starbucks push ahead with the sale in a market where it faces slowing economic growth and rising competition from local brands like Luckin Coffee. (Reuters, 9/5/25)

Saputo plans to close its Suamico, Wisconsin, manufacturing plant this December. The company originally announced its intention to shutter the facility in early 2023 as part of a broader consolidation and modernization effort. … Popular Chinese hotpot chain brand Haidilao, which operates more than 1,300 outlets in China, launched its first dessert shop in the country. The new “Haidilao Sweet Treat” store offers more than 30 products ranging from beverages and ice creams to bakery goods, including bagels, sandwiches and mousses. … Dash Co., the franchisee of Domino’s Pizza in China, reported that Domino’s added 190 new outlets in the first half of 2025 to reach a total of 1,198 locations across 48 cities. Sales jumped 27% in the same period. … Brazilian company Bees-Bee Alimentos invested R$70 million (about US$14 million) to build a new plant in Barbacena, Minas Gerais, focused on WPC and isolate. The facility will initially process 800,000 liters of whey per day, with full capacity reaching up to two million liters daily. Construction is set to begin in the coming months, with full-scale production expected in July 2026. … Sugarloaf TGIF Management LLC, the privately held manager of the TGI Fridays brand, accelerated its development plans in Peru and Japan by extending its franchise development and master franchise agreements with long-standing partners Franquicias Alimentarias S.A. in Peru and Watami Co. in Japan. The agreements call for developing more than 50 new restaurants in addition to the more than 30 restaurants already operating in the two countries. (USDEC China office; USDEC South America Office; Company reports; Nation's Restaurant News, 9/8/25)

Netherlands-based FrieslandCampina Ingredients opened a new state-of-the-art application center in Singapore aimed at enhancing its R&D capabilities. The facility, which increases R&D space by 30%, will serve as a strategic gateway to evolving Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. The company said the expanded application center will accelerate the delivery of “tailored ingredient solutions” to help brands meet the region’s diverse and growing nutritional needs. It is equipped with laboratories dedicated to the development of functional foods, including yogurts, bars and dietary supplements. It will also enhance FrieslandCampina’s technical expertise in areas such as UHT processing, analytical testing, sensory science and packaging, enabling faster and more efficient application development. (Company reports)

Lactalis invests in operations in Brazil, France
After investing €46.2 million (about US$50 million) in its dairy manufacturing facility in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais earlier this year, French dairy group Lactalis said it will invest R$400 million (about US$75 million) in five facilities in Rio Grande do Sul to further expand its dairy production in Brazil. The funds will be used to increase production of prato and mozzarella cheeses, whey protein, butter, cream cheese and dairy blends at the plants in Ijuí, Teutônia, Santa Rosa, and Três de Maio, as well as expand distribution centers in Ijuí and Teutônia. The company expects to increase Brazilian dairy production from 304,000 MT in 2024 to 453,000 tons by 2028. At the same time, Lactalis said it will invest €1 billion (about US$1.18 billion) into its domestic manufacturing sites. The company said the investment is part of a five-year program to “modernize and improve the performance” of its facilities in France, including expanding its Petit Basque cheese production plants in Larceveau and adding new production lines at sites in Bouvron and Bayeux. (Valor International, 9/5/25; Just Food, 9/16/25)

France-based Nestlé announced it will invest $270 million to modernize and expand its plants in Veracruz, Mexico, to increase production of dairy products, coffee and other food items. The company also committed to providing advanced technology, training and technical advice to aid local producers in becoming more efficient and profitable. Separately, Nestlé Chairman Paul Bulcke will step down effective Oct. 1. Vice chair Pablo Isla will fill the void. (Company reports; Dairy News Today, 9/17/25)

German dairy company Meggle continued its expansion into the cheese market by acquiring local peer Rücker, which operates plants in Aurich and Wismar. … Hungary's government banned the foreign takeover of dairy company Alföldi Tej, citing supply safety concerns and national interests, since the dairy maker accounts for nearly a fifth of raw milk purchases in the country. Following the ban on the unidentified prospective buyer, the company raised the possibility of selling itself to the state, which the government said it is examining. (Company reports; Reuters, 9/16/25)

China’s Gansu Qianjin Group began operations of its US$281 million dairy processing plant in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. The site will manufacture mozzarella cheese, whipping cream and other liquid milk products. With the first phase of the project complete, the plant is capable of processing 2,400 MT of raw milk per day. When the second phase is complete by the end of the year, that amount will increase to 3,600 MT per day. … Chipotle Mexican Grill said it will expand to Asia for the first time through a joint venture with SPC Group, a Korean-based restaurant operator. The burrito chain aims to open its first Chipotle locations in South Korea and Singapore in 2026. … Israel-based food and beverage company Strauss Group will introduce the country’s first animal-free dairy alternative range “in the coming weeks.” The product lines, CowFree Symphony cream “cheese” and Yotvata “dairy” products, are made with animal-free BLG protein, which the company says is a protein identical in composition to one of the key proteins found in cow’s milk, but produced through precision fermentation technology. … Illinois-based fermented dairy producer Lifeway Foods said it completed the first stage of a multi-million dollar expansion at its Waukesha, Wisconsin, facility. The company said the project’s next three stages are underway at the site, where Lifeway expects to roughly double its production capacity. … Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield announced his resignation from the company after 47 years, amid an ongoing dispute between the brand’s founders and its parent group, Unilever. Greenfield claims Unilever has “silenced” the brand’s social mission and independence. (USDEC China Office; Lanzhou Publishing, Qianjin Group notices; CNBC, 9/10/25; Company reports; Dairy Processing, 9/16/25; FoodBev Media, 9/17/25)

Seattle-based Darigold, Inc., the processing and marketing arm of the Northwest Dairy Association (NDA), named Amy Humphreys to the role of CEO. She succeeds Allan Huttema, who has led the company since 2023 and will return to his Idaho dairy farm as an NDA member-owner. Humphreys previously served as Darigold's CFO from 2015 to 2018, and prior to that held C-level executive positions in the food manufacturing and petroleum sectors. She will begin her new role on Oct. 1. (Company reports)

SPC reveals Fonterra manufacturing deal
Australia-based SPC Global disclosed in its annual report that it has entered into a manufacturing agreement with New Zealand dairy processor Fonterra. Under this partnership, Nature One—SPC Global’s specialized dairy division—will manufacture Fonterra-branded products for overseas markets at its Carrum Downs facility. SPC Managing Director Robert Iervasi said Fonterra’s recent announcement that it sold its Australian assets to French dairy company Lactalis will have no impact on this arrangement. (Dairy News Australia, 9/22/25)

CEO Mohamed El Damaty said Egypt’s Arabian Food Industries Co., widely known as Domty, is considering establishing a new factory in Saudi Arabia as part of its plans to grow in the Gulf region. A timeline for the targeted expansion was not disclosed. Domty, which manufactures a range of white and processed cheeses as well as juice products, is also in the process of spinning off its bakery division into a separate company, a move that’s expected to be completed by the end of this year. El Damaty said that once the spinoff is complete, Denmark’s Arla Foods is expected to submit an offer to acquire a stake in Domty. Arla Foods previously announced its intention to acquire 100% of Domty last year, but withdrew its offer after the bakery separation was announced. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Waya, 9/16/25)

Unilever’s soon-to-be-demerged ice cream business, Magnum Ice Cream Co., entered into a strategic partnership with Chilean start-up NotCo to leverage the company's cutting-edge artificial intelligence platform, Giuseppe AI. NotCo will utilize its AI technology to analyze caloric content, explore innovative plant-based formulations and manage rising commodity costs. Magnum aims to use the AI tool to reformulate existing products and develop new offerings, catering to evolving consumer demands ahead of its public listing in November. (FoodBev Media, 9/24/25)

In its results announcement this week, Fonterra said it was planning new capacity investment in “specialty protein and butter.” … After announcing it would exit its weight management brand Slimfast, Irish nutrition company Glanbia plc said it will sell the Slimfast US brand to Heartland Food Products Group for an undisclosed sum. Indiana-based Heartland makes the Splenda brand of low-calorie sweeteners, drink mixes, coffee and nutritional beverages. … French dairy giant Danone said it is no longer pursuing an acquisition of Illinois-based kefir maker Lifeway Foods and that it is also reviewing options for its roughly 23% stake in Lifeway, which could include a sale. Danone is Lifeway’s largest investor, but a Danone statement reportedly said it did not believe the two companies could work together effectively. … After Hungary's government banned the foreign takeover of dairy company Alföldi Tej citing supply safety concerns, the suitor, now identified as Greece's Hellenic Dairies, said it had planned significant investments to upgrade the Hungarian firm. While the government said the takeover was banned because it would mean raw milk would be exported from Hungary and dairy products produced abroad would have to be purchased at higher prices, Hellenic Dairies told Reuters that its main goals were to develop the company's domestic activities, including developing new products, supporting domestic milk producers, and investing in facilities and equipment. (Company reports; Reuters, 9/19/25; Food Dive, 9/18/25)

Canadian ice cream manufacturer Chapman’s will invest about C$200 (about US$145 million) to grow operations in Markdale, Ontario. The expansion includes the construction of a 175,000-square-foot production facility that will add three production lines scheduled to begin operating in mid-2026, with another three lines planned for installation in 2027. … Dutch startup The Protein Brewery raised €30 million (US$35 million) to scale its fungi-based food ingredients platform. The capital will be used to commercialize its mycoprotein (brand name: Fermotein) in the U.S. and Singapore, expand production at its demo-scale facility in Mijkenbroek, the Netherlands, and invest in sales and application work. The firm is also preparing for market launch in the EU and UK pending regulatory approvals. … French retailer Carrefour will pull out of Bahrain and Kuwait as its long-term partner, Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim, shifts the stores to its own HyperMax retail brand. The change affects a total of 13 outlets. (Company reports; USDEC Middle East/North Africa Office; Food Business EMEA, 9/19/25) 

New Zealand dairy group Synlait Milk agreed to sell its North Island operations to the local unit of U.S. healthcare company Abbott Laboratories for NZ$307 million (about US$178 million). The deal with Abbott, which has been a customer of Synlait since 2020, includes Synlait’s Pōkeno manufacturing plant and its Auckland sites, including its blending, canning and warehousing facilities. Synlait said the sale would provide additional capital to reset its business and focus on long-term growth opportunities. At the same time, Abbott continues to expand its footprint in the infant nutrition sector. The sale is expected to be completed in April 2026. (Company reports)

As consumer demand for nutritionally dense, natural foods grows, dairy companies are responding with innovation and product development to meet both global and local food trends. Arancha Cordero, senior vice president of dairy and head of global category at Danone, recently shared how her company is responding to the expanding role of protein, the use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and the biotic “phenomenon” that’s pushing the envelope in dairy functionality. To hear her thoughts, read the full article here. Meanwhile, France-based Bel Group is working to boost accessibility to its products in Asia by adapting to local tastes, budgets, and nutritional needs. From localized partner promotions to obtaining halal certification, read here how the company is trying to reach the widest audience possible. (Dairy Reporter, 9/26/25; Food Navigator Asia, 9/25/25)

Yum Brands says it is developing a unified supply chain organization for its restaurant franchisees. The plan calls for the company to consolidate supply chain management to enable global-scale negotiations and strategies across all brands and regions, eliminating fragmented deal-making and bolstering collaboration. The company believes that this approach will streamline operations, reduce costs, improve efficiency and foster culinary creativity and growth. The new system is in the early stages, but it features bargaining teams for specific supplies, including dairy. (Supply Chain Dive, 9/29/25)

Illinois-based kefir maker Lifeway Foods signed a cooperation agreement with minority shareholder Danone North America that includes changes to its board structure and the resolution of ongoing disputes. Under the agreement, Lifeway will separate the roles of chair and CEO, with Julie Smolyansky remaining CEO, while an independent director will assume the role of chair no later than the end of this month. Lifeway will also “refresh” its board by appointing four new directors selected by Lifeway’s strategic review committee and unaffiliated with Danone, the Smolyansky family or current company leadership. The companies also agreed to stay ongoing litigation related to Danone’s stockholders’ agreement with Lifeway. Danone will waive certain rights under the agreement, including its right to appoint a member of the Lifeway board. It also committed not to support future consent solicitations or shareholder meeting calls by Edward and Ludmila Smolyansky before June 2026, instead backing the board’s recommended candidates. The deal includes a commitment by Lifeway to file a shelf registration statement by Oct. 30 that enables Danone to sell its shares in the company if it chooses. (Company reports)

China’s OarMilk, a high-end Greek yogurt maker founded in 2020, plans to build a second manufacturing facility to complement its original plant in Hebei Province. The new US$140 million factory will be located in Shanghai and has an estimated start-up date of the second quarter of 2027. … UAE-based food producers Al Ain Farms Group and Food Tech Valley signed an agreement to set up a 260,000-sq.-ft. logistics hub in Dubai. The companies said the facility is being designed to improve food delivery times and efficiency while also reducing carbon emissions in line with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals. … To accelerate aseptic milk output, Saudi Arabia-based dairy and food product producer Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Co. (SADAFCO) signed a strategic agreement with Tetra Pak to install its E3/Speed Hyper processing line. The new line is equipped with “eBeam” sterilization and is capable of producing up to 40,000 packages per hour. … To strengthen its global innovation network, Tokyo-based Yakult Honsha set up a European R&D unit in the Netherlands. The company said the new facility, which is located within the company’s corporate facility on the Wageningen Campus in Gelderland, will serve as a hub for addressing diverse consumer needs and varying regulatory requirements across global markets. … Vermont-based dairy manufacturer HP Hood will close the Booth Bros. fluid manufacturing plant located in Barre in April. The company said it is working to transition the manufacturing in the facility to other Hood plants. … France-based Danone opened its new OneBiome Laboratory in Paris. The company said the lab combines microbiology, clinical science and AI and will serve as a global hub for microbiome science, nutrition and digital health. … Kerry Dairy Consumer Foods said it is phasing out the hybrid range of its Smug brand retail products that launched in the UK last year. The business unit of Kerry Dairy Ireland is instead planning to launch a full-blown dairy snacking range under the same brand next year. (USDEC China office; USDEC Middle East/North Africa Office; Company reports; Just Food, 10/1/25; Dairy Business Middle East and Africa, 9/26/25; Zawya, 9/25/25; VTDigger, 9/25/25)

Milk production is on the rise in Africa, but rising input costs for dairy manufacturers and producers coupled with elevated inflation for consumers are creating a challenging economic environment. In addition, counterfeit products remain a concern. Dairy Reporter recently asked several dairy brands what they’re doing to meet these challenges head-on while protecting consumers. To see how they’re responding in this volatile economy, read the full article here. (Dairy Reporter, 10/5/25)

French private equity firm PAI Partners announced the completion of a €3.6 billion (about US$3.1 billion) equity transaction to establish a new ownership structure for its roughly 50% stake in Froneri, the global ice cream giant jointly owned with Switzerland-based Nestlé. As part of the deal, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has become a “significant minority co-investor” in Froneri, joining PAI and a new single-asset continuation vehicle (CV) led by Vintage Strategies at Goldman Sachs Alternatives. (Reuters, 10/2/25)

In a move to expand its manufacturing capabilities, California-based Barfresh Food Group acquired Ohio dairy processing company Arps Dairy Inc. … New Zealand’s Open Country Dairy completed its acquisition of Māori-owned milk-processing peer Miraka. (Dairy News Today, 10/8/25)

Japanese dairy group Morinaga Milk said it will suspend production at its plant in Akita, Japan, in March 2026 as part of a restructuring initiative. Operations at the facility, which has been open since 1951, will be transferred to another site. … California-based alt-dairy startup Climax Foods has rebranded to Bettani Farms, appointed former CFO of Califia Farms Sandeep Patel to serve as CEO and chairman, and raised $6.5 million in Series A funding. Bettani will focus on commercializing its proprietary protein ingredient, Caseed, which is made from regenerative seed crops, as well as Caseed-powered cheeses in partnership with frozen food makers, foodservice operators and existing dairy-free cheese brands (Company news; FoodBev Media, 10/6/25)

England-based ice cream maker Froneri entered agreements to acquire the European ice cream business of Latvia’s Food Union. The proposed transaction, which is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities, would cover all Food Union markets in Europe, including Denmark, Norway, Estonia, Latvia (except non-ice cream dairy), Lithuania and Romania, and is expected to close in the coming months. The current management team of Food Union will remain in charge of the business, and Froneri plans to invest in and further develop the local brands. (Company reports)

Denmark-based dairy cooperative Arla Foods is expanding its site in Lockerbie, Scotland, with a new UHT and lactose-free Centre of Excellence that’s being initiated through a partnership with North Carolina technology provider SPX Flow. It will involve scaling long-life and specialty milk production using a UHT solution from SPX Flow’s APV brand. … Kenyan dairy company Glacier Products Ltd. received a strategic $8.5 million investment from the Belgian Development Finance Institution to support its expansion. This funding will finance the construction of a new, state-of-the-art production facility that aims to scale Glacier’s production capabilities, modernize its facilities, and launch new product lines tailored to the evolving tastes and nutritional priorities of Kenyan consumers. … India’s Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar inaugurated a ₹90.70 crore (about US$10 million) automatic curd line at Karimnagar Dairy. The facility aims to enhance dairy processing capacity and promote value addition in milk products in its home state of Telangana. … Louisville, Ky. and Atlanta-based pizza chain Papa John’s International relaunched in India with four stores in Bengaluru. The company said it is placing India among its priority markets globally and tailoring its offerings to local tastes with its maiden majority-vegetarian menu. … UK butter brand All Things Butter closed its third investment round, raising over £2 million (about US$2.3 million) to support its international growth and expansion into new categories. This latest funding raise, which was led by venture capital fund Rose Street Capital and supported by investment firm Access Industries, is also earmarked to create an international supply chain to reach American and additional Middle Eastern markets. … Seattle-based Darigold, the processing and marketing arm of the Northwest Dairy Association, confirmed plans to close its production site in Chehalis, Wash., in early December as part of a broader strategy to optimize its network. The company recently opened a $900 million plant in Pasco. … The government of Dubai announced that Dubai-based logistics company DP World will develop a new $29 million cold storage facility in Egypt. The 16,194-square-meter facility will include eight independently controlled chambers with capacity for 25,000 pallet positions across chilled and frozen categories such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and frozen foods. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Dairy News Today, 10/15/25; FoodBev Media, 10/14/25; Dairy Processing, 10/14/25; Reuters, 10/10/25; Dairy Business Middle East and Africa, 10/8/25; Port News, 10/7/25; The Chronicle, 9/17/25)

As Fonterra Co-operative Group shareholders vote on the dairy co-op’s NZ$4.2 billion divestment of its Mainland Group consumer brands business to French multinational Lactalis, political concerns have been voiced about long-term milk security for New Zealand farmers. In an open letter, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters called on farmers to reject the sale and cast doubt on Lactalis’ commercial incentives to maintain the current supply relationship. He said Lactalis has “every incentive” to terminate its supply deal after the initial terms expire, substituting New Zealand milk with “lower quality, cheaper milk and vegetable fat” to boost its margins. He also questioned the three-year term of the Global Supply Agreement (GSA), asking why a longer commitment was not secured. A decision on the deal is due on Oct. 30. If approved, the deal is expected to settle in Q1 2026. (The Bulletin, 10/20/25; Dairy Reporter, 10/20/25)

Meanwhile, Fonterra announced a $75 million expansion of butter production at its Clandeboye plant, South Island. The investment will enable the construction of a new butter line at the factory, expanding its current butter production capacity by up to 50,000 tons a year. The new line will expand Fonterra’s ability to produce different butter formats tailored to its global ingredients customers and professional kitchens, including lactic and unsalted butter. It will also be capable of producing products that meet diverse market requirements, including halal and kosher certifications. Fonterra also provided an update on its Edendale, South Island, project. Nine months since the construction of its new Edendale UHT cream plant began in January, Fonterra said the site is less than a year from completion and is poised to meet growing demand for products such as Anchor Whipping Cream. The company said the first products are expected to roll off the line in August 2026. (Company reports; Rural News Group, 10/15/25)

DealStreetAsia reported that Indonesian Ultramilk producer PT Ultrajaya Milk Industry and Trading Company Tbk is considering a potential strategic partnership that may include a minority stake acquisition by Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina. The report said Ultrajaya is exploring collaboration opportunities in response to intensifying competition within Indonesia’s dairy-based product industry. FrieslandCampina is the parent company of dairy company Frisian Flag Indonesia, also known locally as Susu Bendera. While neither company has issued an official statement about a potential partnership, investors responded positively to the news, with Ultrajaya shares jumping 6.2%. (IDN Financials, 10/7/25)

Unilever said it is postponing the planned demerger of its Magnum Ice Cream unit due to the U.S. government shutdown. The parent company said the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is currently unable to declare effective the registration statement required for shares of The Magnum Ice Cream Co. to be listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. … Missouri-based PNC Brands Group acquired a majority stake in Missouri-based Ice Cream Factory, which makes handcrafted ice creams and provides co-manufacturing for regional as well as emerging brands. (Company news; Wall Street Journal, 10/16/25)

China’s Feihe Group secured approval to install a new lactose processing line at an existing site in Qiqihar City, Helongjiang Province. When complete, the line will produce 12,000 MT of lactose and 1,800 MT of concentrated milk protein per year, the company says. … China’s Yantang Dairy began construction of a new manufacturing plant for shelf-stable and refrigerated milk, ice cream and cheese. The whole project reportedly covers 1.3 million sq. ft. … Swiss food giant Nestlé said it will cut 16,000 jobs (6% of its global workforce) and take a fresh look at exiting some of its 2,000-plus brands. The move is part of a restructuring plan under new CEO Philipp Navratil designed to reduce costs and improve the company's profitability and financial performance. The cuts, which are expected to be implemented over the next two years, will include 12,000 white-collar positions and 4,000 roles in manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics. … Japan’s Yakult plans to close its Guangzhou No. 1 Factory in China and move production to two other facilities in the same province. (It operates six Chinese plants in total.) Yakult cited aging equipment at the plant and a desire to maximize operating efficiency. … New York-based Chobani said it raised $650 million from “industry thought leaders” in its latest funding round. The capital is intended to fund the recently announced plant expansion in Twin Falls, Idaho, and new food manufacturing plant in Rome, N.Y.  (USDEC China office; Company reports; Reuters, 10/21/25)

Despite recent political concerns about Fonterra’s divestment of its Mainland Group consumer brands business to Lactalis, Fonterra’s farmer shareholders approved the sale with strong support. Nearly 90% of the total farmer votes were cast in support of the New Zealand dairy cooperative’s divestment of its global Consumer and associated businesses, known as Mainland Group, to France-based Lactalis for NZ$4.22 billion (about US$2.5 billion). Completion of the divestment remains subject to regulatory approvals and the separation of Mainland Group business from Fonterra, both of which are underway. Fonterra said it expects the transaction to close in the first half of 2026. (Company reports)

Australia’s Pure Dairy officially opened its new 140,000-sq.-ft. dairy manufacturing plant in Dandenong South, Victoria. The new facility features multiple production lines, a test kitchen and the company’s headquarters (it also operates international offices in Dubai, Mexico, Singapore and the U.S.). The new facility manufactures a range of dairy products, including mozzarella, cheddar and specialty cheeses for both domestic and international markets. (eDairy News, 10/28/25)

Walid Gamal El-Dien, chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), recently met with Megmilk Snow Brand, one of Japan’s largest dairy and food production companies, to discuss establishing an integrated dairy manufacturing and packaging facility in the SCZONE. The project would aim to serve both regional and global markets while strengthening food supply chains between Egypt and Japan. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa Office; Daily News Egypt, 10/22/25)

Following the announcement that it was going up for sale in April, Australia-based Brownes Dairy said it plans to formally seek a buyer (or investor in the business) next year. McGrathNicol Restructuring was appointed receiver of the shares in Australian Zhiran Co. Pty. Ltd., Brownes Dairy’s holding company. This week, a McGrath Nicol spokesman said it is working closely with the Brownes Dairy team to compile all business information into an investor package, with plans to take the milk producer to market in 2026. In the meantime, Brownes acquired its former UK co-packing business, Indul, in a bid to boost sales of Hunt and Brew, its ready-to-drink coffee brand. The deal includes a factory that gives Hunt and Brew end-to-end control of production and logistics and, the company says, enables the brand to scale operations while maintaining quality standards. (Just Food, 10/28/25; Just Drinks, 10/23/25)

Denmark-based dairy company Arla Foods, the producer of Dano Milk, is hosting the second edition of its “Open Day” at the Arla-Dano Farm in Damau in Kaduna state, Nigeria. The initiative will bring together policymakers, agricultural experts, students and farmers to explore the evolving face of dairy farming in Nigeria. This year’s edition will spotlight two key developments: the commissioning of Arla’s new yoghurt factory in Damau, Kaduna, and the company’s ongoing investments in technical capacity within Nigeria’s dairy value chain. The Open Day will also work to address the shortage of skilled talent in modern dairy farming in the region by enabling participants to engage directly with farm managers, veterinarians, and production specialists on topics such as animal welfare, feed optimization and sustainable milk production. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa Office; The Cable, 10/24/25)

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is selling its New Ulm, Minn., butter plant to Wisconsin's Grassland Dairy Products. The sale is expected to close by the end of the year. ... The European Commission approved the proposed merger between Netherlands-based FrieslandCampina and Belgian dairy co-op Milcobel, concluding that the deal will not significantly impede competition across key dairy markets in Europe. This approval marks the final regulatory hurdle for the merger and allows the companies to move into the final stages, with the vote from the respective boards to take place in December. … Indian dairy company Heritage Foods acquired a 51% stake in Peanut Butter and Jelly, the parent company of better-for-you ice cream maker Get-A-Way. The dairy company’s Rs 9-crore (about US$1 million) investment includes an option to raise the stake to 71% by March 2026 and signals Heritage Foods’ entry into the healthy dessert segment. (Company reports)

Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao is investing in the fast-food sector and plans to open its first hamburger outlet under the name Hilburger in Changsha, Hunan Province, in December. The company says menu will feature burgers created to meld more traditional Chinese tastes. … Chinese cheesemaker Cheese Spirit filed for bankruptcy. Once the leader in cheese “lollipops,” the company failed to innovate as the Chinese market began to shift to other cheese snacks and other formats. … Ireland dairy cooperative North Cork Creameries announced CEO Pat Sheahan will leave that role at the end the year. Michael Cronin, a former CEO of Newmarket Co-operative and current board member of Bord Bia, will serve as interim CEO while the board conducts a formal process to appoint a new CEO over the coming months. … In response to a significant uptick in orders from its foodservice and retail customers, UK-based dairy supplier Freshways announced plans for a £25 million (about US$29 million) investment in a state-of-the-art dairy processing and packaging facility in West Bromwich. The new hub will increase the company’s processing capacity by 25%, enabling the handling of more than half a million metric tons of fresh British milk annually. … Yoplait Liberté Canada announced the appointment of Claire Bara as its new CEO, effective immediately. Bara previously served as president of Canadian food and beverage manufacturer A. Lassonde and led its Canadian beverage division. (USDEC China office; Agriland, 10/24/25; Company reports)

Rob Vandenheuvel officially assumed the role of president and CEO for California Dairies Inc. on Nov. 1. He succeeds retiring CEO Brad Anderson, who led the company for the last six years and will serve in an advisory role to the executive team through the end of the year. Vandenheuvel has been with the company for eight years and previously served as COO. Prior to that, he served as general manager for the Milk Producers Council. (Company reports)

Kentucky-based global foodservice operator Yum Brands said it will explore strategic options for Pizza Hut. A statement from Yum CEO Chris Turner said, “Pizza Hut’s performance indicates the need to take additional action to help the brand realize its full value, which may be better executed outside of Yum! Brands.” While the company has not set a definitive timetable for a review process, potential outcomes could be an outright divestiture, a joint venture or the sale of a stake in the chain. (CNBC, 11/4/25)

Amidst declining market share, Seattle-based coffee chain Starbucks said it will sell a majority stake in its China business to Chinese private equity firm Boyu Capital in a deal valued at $4 billion. Under terms of the joint venture, Boyu will run Starbucks' retail operations in China, with Boyu owning 60% of the venture and Starbucks holding the rest and continuing to own and license the brand and its intellectual property. Both parties expect the deal to be finalized by March, after clearing required regulatory approvals. (Nikkei Asia, 11/4/25)

France-based Danone announced the launch of its Danone Milk Academy, a multi-year program designed to support the long-term viability of dairy farming worldwide. The initiative aims to unite the expertise of academia, technical partners and Danone to support the company’s dairy farmer partners and farm management teams through sustainable practices and modern technologies. Programming combines face-to-face learning sessions in key dairy regions alongside a digital knowledge platform to deliver additional training and connect farmers worldwide. (Company reports)

Illinois-based McDonald’s expanded its partnership with Arla Foods in the UK by joining Arla’s FarmAhead Customer Partnership program. The program brings together farmers and commercial partners to deliver measurable environmental improvements on farms. The initiative builds on the relationship between the two companies that began in 1987 when Arla began supplying organic milk to McDonald’s restaurants across the country. It focuses on ReNature, a biodiversity project that will run on about 60 UK dairy farms and assess the current state of nature on organic farms, improve soil health and boost habitats for wildlife. Findings will be shared across Arla’s wider milk pool and McDonald’s organic supply chain to show measurable biodiversity gains. (Company reports)

To further expand its footprint in the food and beverage sector in South America, Ireland-based ingredients and dairy company Carbery Group acquired Solutaste, a flavors and ingredients manufacturer and distributor based in São Paulo, Brazil. … Italian dairy cooperative Granarolo S.p.A. acquired UK-based wholesale supplier West Horsley Dairy Ltd. as part of efforts to expand operations in the UK market. … After postponing the planned demerger of its Magnum Ice Cream unit due to the U.S. government shutdown, Unilever said it now expects to complete the spin-off on Dec. 6, with shares of The Magnum Ice Cream Co. to begin trading in London two days later. (Company reports; Reuters, 11/4/25)

At the recent China International Import Expo in Shanghai, the CEO of Fonterra Greater China said the company would establish its seventh experience center in China in 2026. While the location remains undisclosed, it will aim to cover a wider range of cities under the company’s service network. Separately, Fonterra said it plans to enhance market penetration of its Anchor dairy products through various channels moving forward. (USDEC China Office)

Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent of Burger King, formed a joint venture with Chinese private equity firm CPE to help boost the restaurant’s growth in China. CPE will invest $350 million to support restaurant expansion, marketing, menu innovation and operations in the market. It will hold an 83% stake, while RBI will keep a 17% stake. The partnership aims to double the number of Burger King locations in China to over 2,500 in five years and reach more than 4,000 by 2035. (Company reports)

Wisconsin-based Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and Farmers for Sustainable Food launched EmPower+, a program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions on dairy farms. The farmer-led initiative aims to enhance environmental performance across the dairy value chain by offering data support services and a portfolio of production efficiency solutions. It pairs on-farm innovation with a robust accounting methodology to measure, report and verify emission reductions at the farm level. According to Edge, this approach empowers farmers to understand how their practices impact their emissions footprint and make informed decisions to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, while allowing processors to use the data to meet value chain reporting requirements and demonstrate measurable Scope 3 GHG reductions. (Company reports)

In a move to expand its international presence, India’s Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF), known by its trade name Milma, signed a memorandum of understanding with RG Foods and Midnightsun Global to export dairy products to Australia and New Zealand. Under the terms of the agreement, RG Foods will handle logistical operations, including product pick-up from Milma premises, transportation, customs clearance, and freight forwarding. Midnightsun Global will act as a coordinating partner, facilitating the export process without retaining ownership rights over the Milma products. (Times of India, 11/9/25)

Israel-based precision fermentation company Remilk and Gad Dairies partnered to launch The New Milk, a cow-free milk alternative. The initial launch features a barista milk in cafés, restaurants and hotels and will be followed next month by classic milk and vanilla-flavored versions at retail. … Swiss milk powder, baby food and nutritional supplements producer Hochdorf announced the appointment of Sandro Tichelli as its new CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2026. He joins Hochdorf from France’s Danone, where he held a range of senior positions. (FoodBev Media, 11/11/25, 11/12/25; Company reports)

Atlanta-based nonprofit The Dairy Alliance named Farrah Newberry as its new CEO “to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and advocacy for the region’s dairy community.” Newberry has served The Dairy Alliance for the past four years, first as vice president of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs and most recently as Interim CEO. Before joining The Dairy Alliance, she served for 22 years as executive director of Georgia Milk Producers Inc., where she sought to educate dairy farmers and governing officials on key issues affecting Georgia’s dairy industry. (Company reports)

Thai dairy brand Betagen said it plans to build its first manufacturing plant in Vietnam in the southern province of Dong Nai. The company, known in Thailand for its sterilized drinking yogurt and signature fermented milk products, recently signed a long-term lease agreement for nearly nine acres of land in the An Phuoc Industrial Park, valid until 2062. Kitti Sawangarom, CEO of Betagen Vietnam, said the construction of the company’s first plant in Vietnam marks a significant step in its regional expansion and reinforces its long-term commitment to the country. (The Investor, 11/18/25)

To expand its whey processing and product innovation capabilities, Irish dairy co-operative Tirlán will invest €126 million (about US$146 million) into a state-of-the-art whey processing facility at its Ballyragget site in Kilkenny. The new facility will focus on the production of an advanced nutritional whey protein portfolio, including clear whey protein. Once operational, the facility will significantly increase Tirlán’s capacity and flexibility for high-value whey-based products. The site will be water neutral and carbon efficient, and is expected to be operational by mid-2027. (Company reports)

Two U.S.-sourced dairy imports are drawing criticism from Australian farmers for lack of transparent country-of-origin labeling. Australian retail chain Woolworths is facing backlash for selling U.S.-made butter under its Hillview brand. Critics say the butter's packaging, which uses Australia's national green and gold colors, misleads consumers into thinking it’s locally sourced. Separately, Bega Cheese is facing scrutiny for the labeling of its American-sourced mozzarella within its Dairy Farmers Hospitality Shredded range, which is sold to cafes, restaurants, and hotels. Australian Dairy Farmers President Ben Bennett condemned both practices, calling on Woolworths to “be genuine about the product that we have and where it comes from,” and urging Bega and other packers of foreign dairy to clearly label the country of origin to allow consumers to make an informed choice without having to decipher misleading labeling. (eDairy News, 11/18/25; ABC News, 11/11/25)

Vietnam’s Nutrifood and Australia’s ViPlus Dairy launched GippsNature Organic A2, the first product under their new international joint venture, ViPlus Nutritional Australia. Now available in Vietnam, GippsNature Organic A2 is formulated using Australian Certified Organic (ACO) A2 protein milk sourced from free-grazing herds in Gippsland, one of Australia’s prominent dairy regions. The company says the product combines clean-label, nature-focused ingredients with tailored nutritional science designed for Vietnamese families. The joint venture is preparing for broader international rollout and continued innovation, as it positions GippsNature as a global premium nutrition brand. (FoodBev Media, 11/19/25)

New Zealand infant nutrition maker Blue River Dairy said it is hoping to use its success in China to grow into other markets in the future. The company, which sources sheep milk and whey from companies in New Zealand and Europe and blends them into infant formula at its Invercargill plant, is owned by the Chen Family from China, who bought the business in 2015. A company official said while the sheep infant nutrition market hasn’t gone global yet, it has grown significantly in size and market share over the last nine years and that “Success in China will enable sheep infant formula manufacturers to springboard into new markets in the future.” (Dairy News, 11/11/25)

Spain-based food and drinks group Idilia Foods acquired Shaken Udder Group, a UK-based premium milkshake business. Shaken Udder, which will continue to operate as an independent business, plans to use Idilia’s backing to expand distribution, accelerate new product development and reach new consumer segments in both domestic and international channels. … PlanetDairy, a Danish startup specializing in hybrid dairy products that combine cow’s milk and plant-based ingredients, acquired equipment and technological expertise from now-defunct alt-cheese producer Stockeld Dreamery. PlanetDairy said the goal of the acquisition is to improve its offerings to bridge the gap between the superior taste and performance of traditional dairy and the lower environmental impact of plant-based substitutes. (FoodBev Media, 11/18/25; eDairy News, 11/18/25)

French dairy giant Danone said it will make a substantial investment in its Boucherville, Quebec factory to address the increasing demand for yogurt in Canada. Financial details were not disclosed, but the company said the project aims to enhance the plant's yogurt tub production by 40% and boost its raw milk processing capacity by 20%. … Qatari dairy producer Baladna Food Industries welcomed a visit from Kenyan President William Ruto to engage in strategic discussions on replicating its successful business model in Kenya, with a shared vision of transforming agricultural productivity and reducing reliance on imports. Baladna subsequently announced plans to send a delegation to Kenya to explore the development of a 100,000-acre farm. … Arla Foods Nigeria officially launched its yoghurt factory and the Nigerian Dairy Centre of Excellence (NDCE) at the Integrated Arla-Dano Dairy Farm in Damau, Kaduna. The new sites aim to enhance local milk processing, empower farmers through training, and promote sustainable dairy practices aligned with national food security and economic diversification goals. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Company reports; Nairametrics, 11/6/25; Dairy Business Middle East & Africa, 11/10/25)

As part of its strategy “to lead the global protein market,” Netherlands-based dairy cooperative Royal FrieslandCampina NV will acquire whey protein isolate producer Wisconsin Whey Protein. The Darlington, Wis., company will join FrieslandCampina Ingredients, which the Dutch cooperative said will “significantly increase” total whey protein capacity, since Wisconsin Whey Protein is expanding its facilities to “more than double” its output. FrieslandCampina also plans to collaborate with Wisconsin Whey’s sister company, Stainless Technologies, which provides advanced process technology solutions. The acquisition will allow FrieslandCampina to extend its presence in Europe and Asia into the North American market. (Company reports)

Arla Foods Ingredients, a subsidiary of Arla Foods, is investing almost DK300 million (about US$47 million) to retrofit a spray-drying tower at its Arinco dairy facility in Videbæk, Denmark. The drying tower will move from producing infant formula to milk and whey protein ingredients. The project aims to bolster the company’s capacity for ingredient production while reducing its environmental impact. The technical conversion will begin in July 2026, with production testing expected in January 2027. At the same time, parent Arla Foods is investing Skr70 million (about US$7.5 million) in its Falkenberg, Sweden, dairy plant to increase cottage cheese production. The Denmark-based co-op said the investment, which aims to boost annual output of the Keso brand by 1,500 tons, will focus on upgrading existing equipment, including filtration and cooling, alongside improving capacity and efficiency. The Falkenberg dairy mainly supplies the Swedish market but also exports to Finland, Denmark and Spain. The additional capacity is expected to come online in the final quarter of 2026. (Just Food, 12/2/25; Food Ingredients First, 11/25/25)

The Magnum Ice Cream Co. announced a £50 million (about US$66 million) investment to modernize and expand its Gloucester ice cream factory in the UK The upgrade, which is part of the company’s wider global supply chain transformation program, will see a full rebuild of the site’s mix plant, the installation of advanced blending technology and the addition of new high-speed production lines dedicated to popular brands such as Twister and Solero. By 2027, the company aims to increase total output at Gloucester by 50% compared to 2023 levels. (Company reports)

Wisconsin-based BelGioioso Cheese said it will invest more than $23 million to expand and upgrade its operations in New York State. The expansion will take place at the company’s facilities in Glenville and Campbell, and the project will utilize an extra 100 million pounds of milk sourced from New York dairy farmers. The Glenville facility, with a 96,000-square-foot plant and a distribution center added in 2022, will continue to support production growth. In Campbell, BelGioioso is upgrading the plant with modern infrastructure and new product lines, with completion expected by late 2027. (New York Ag Connection, 11/25/25)

Malaysian dairy producer Farm Fresh Bhd. is boosting expansion efforts across Southeast Asia in an effort to reach the region’s more than half a billion consumers. In addition to building a presence in the Philippines and preparing to open a plant in Cambodia in April, the company has applied to build a 568-acre farm in Bandung on Indonesia’s island of Java and is looking for potential partnerships to establish local distribution. CEO Loi Tuan Ee said the regional push is part of his plan to sustain 10-20% annual growth, and that he expects the regional contribution to be “far bigger than Malaysia” in five to 10 years. He also said the company is expanding into new product categories to capture market share, including chilled milk, UHT milk, ice cream, butter and infant formula. (Bloomberg, 11/20/25)

A wave of end-of-year merger and acquisition activity is hitting the global dairy supply chain. Here are a few of the more recent developments:

• China’s Bright Dairy purchased the outstanding 40% stake in specialty dairy processor Xiaoxinniu for US$71 million, giving it full ownership. Xiaoxinniu primarily makes shelf-stable milk and yogurt, refrigerated yogurt and dairy beverages and posted sales of US$87 million in 2024.
• Switzerland-based Emmi Group is acquiring The English Cheesecake Co., a London based premium cheesecake brand. The deal aims to strengthen Emmi's position in the premium dessert market by leveraging English Cheesecake’s retail presence in the UK and its diverse product range.
• To strengthen its position across retail channels, Colorado-based Horizon Family Brands acquired Maple Hill Creamery, a New York-based supplier of grass-fed organic dairy products.
• Bojan Radun, CEO of Serbian dairy producer Imlek, is partnering with entrepreneur Andrej Jovanović’s family office, AJFH, to acquire Imlek from private equity investor MidEuropa. The duo plans to strengthen Imlek’s regional leadership through targeted investment, operational improvements and product innovation. The deal is expected to close in Q1 2026.
• German dairy giant Theo Müller Group will acquire the Lüneburg production site and associated brands Elinas and Lünebest from German dairy co-operative Hochwald Foods. Müller said production will continue at the Lüneburg plant and that the deal, which is subject to approval by competition authorities, will complement its dairy product portfolio in the German market, where it primarily operates in private label.
• In a move to enhance supply chain efficiencies and expand its consumer offerings, South Africa-based Woodlands Dairy Group acquired local peer Ladismith Cheese Co., together with its subsidiaries, Ladismith Powder Co. and Mooivallei Suiwel, from Sea Harvest Group Ltd.
• Shareholders of New Zealand dairy group Synlait Milk voted in favor of selling the company’s North Island assets to the local unit of U.S. healthcare company Abbott Laboratories for NZ$307 million (about US$178 million).
• More than a decade after acquiring Pfizer’s Wyeth infant nutrition business in China, Nestlé China is merging the operation with its own infant nutrition business. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the units will operate as one under the Nestlé Nutrition name.
• Kunshan Nuoyuan Ruiyuan Management Consulting, owned by IDG Capital, purchased 100% of the shares of Yoplait China from Tiantu Capital and other stakeholders for approximately $255 million. (USDEC China office; Company reports; 36kr.com, 12/2/25; FoodBev Media, 12/2/25; Dairy Industries International, 11/24/25; Farmers Weekly, 11/24/25)

Dairy Innovation West’s milk concentration plant officially began operations in Alberta, Canada. The first of its kind in Canada, the nearly C$82 million (about US$59 million) facility is capable of processing 300 million liters of raw milk, with capacity to expand to 467 million liters in the future. … Texas-based chicken restaurant chain Wingstop said it has expanded its global footprint by 50% in the past two years. The company has recently entered six new markets, including Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and The Netherlands, giving it a presence in 47 U.S. states and 15 countries. The chain expects to enter Thailand, Italy and Ireland in the near future. … Walmart began operations at its new 300,000-sq.-ft. milk processing facility in Valdosta, Ga.—its second owned-and-operated milk facility in the U.S. The plant will source milk from local dairy farmers and process a range of options from whole to skim and 1% chocolate milk under Walmart’s Great Value and Sam’s Club Member’s Mark brands. … Illinois-based Oberweis Dairy named Renato DePaolis II CEO. DePaolis joins Oberweis from the corporate team at Hoffmann Family of Cos., which purchased Oberweis in 2024. He succeeds Adam Kraber, who will remain with the company as senior vice president of sales and growth. (Company reports; Dairy Processing, 12/2/25; The Western Producer, 12/1/25; Nation’s Restaurant News, 11/26/25)

Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) plans to invest $122 million in expanding its facilities in Michigan to increase production of ultrafiltered milk and reintroduce cottage cheese to meet rising protein product demand. As part of the initiative, MMPA acquired and will revive a cheese plant in Remus, Mich., that was previously owned by Leprino Foods and had ceased operations earlier this year. The company will also expand its Ovid, Mich., campus, adding 3 million pounds of daily processing capacity for ultrafiltered milk (Company reports)

Pure Foods Tasmania acquired Australian artisanal ice cream company Elato Ice Cream to create a new ice cream division alongside its The Cashew Creamery brand. Under the deal, Pure Foods gets all IP, brand assets, recipes and supply arrangements. All ice cream production will be consolidated in Tasmania. (Food and Drink Business, 11/26/25)

Iraq is building a new infant formula manufacturing facility, The Mohannad Ali Abdullah Infant Formula Factory. The plant will produce products for Turkish company Kulalac, the maker of the Bebevit brand. … Māori Investments Ltd. (MIL), one of the largest shareholders of New Zealand’s Waiū Dairy, has written off its entire $9 million stake in the struggling Bay of Plenty processor. Despite the financial setback, MIL said it continues to support the dairy, and credited its Japanese partner Imanaka for its commitment and financial backing, which have been crucial in keeping Waiū operational. … The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners appointed Noel Hacegaba as the Port of Long Beach’s next CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2026. He succeeds current CEO Mario Cordero, who is retiring at the end of the year. … Colin Glass will step down in mid-2026 after 25 years as the inaugural chief executive of Dairy Holdings, New Zealand’s biggest corporate dairying entity. Blair Robinson, COO since 2018, will succeed him. … Missouri-based Hiland Dairy expects the $100 million expansion to its Tyler, Texas, facility is on track to start up in April 2026. The project is adding 96,000 sq. ft. and increasing milk output to over one million gallons per week. … BakeLand Egypt, a subsidiary of RMC Group that develops bakery and confectionery mixes for factories and retail consumers, introduced its first locally produced alternative to imported bakery ingredients. The company said it is constructing a new 10,000-square-meter facility to meet growing demand for the product. (USDEC Middle East/North Africa office; Company reports; Dairy News Today , 12/10/25; Farmers Weekly, 12/8/25; Daily News Egypt, 12/7/25; BusinessDesk, 12/7/25; Belta, 12/5/25; Dairy Business Middle East and Africa, 11/27/25)

New Zealand’s Open Country Dairy (OCD) launched a new commercial butter plant at its Wahora facility that’s capable of producing about 20,000 tons of product a year. The NZ$50 million (about US$29 million) plant has two production lines: a bulk line for global customers, global restaurant and foodservice customers, and a second line to supply butter to Costco stores in the U.S. (Farmers Weekly, 12/12/25)

Romania-based dairy producer DN AGRAR Group said it is investing €3.5m (about US$4 million) to develop a new SMP and cream processing facility as part of its 2025-2030 development strategy. Operations are expected to begin by October 2026, with production, including kosher-certified products, directed primarily toward B2B and export markets. The project is subject to shareholder approval in January. (Global Dairy Weekly, 12/211/25; Romania Journal, 12/9/25)

Italian plant-based food specialist Valsoia is expanding its fermented food footprint and entering the dairy category with the acquisition of a 70% stake in Slovenian kefir producer Kele & Kele. Under the terms of the agreement, the remaining 30% of Kele & Kele will stay with the founding partners, who will continue to play an active role in the company’s management for at least three years. (FoodBev Media, 12/15/25)

Yoplait China is reportedly building a US$85 million manufacturing plant in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. The plant will produce yogurt, pasteurized milk and ice cream. The estimated completion date is March 2027. … China’s Mengniu Dairy is adding a new US$2.8 million packaging line for 200ml Tetra Pak products at its Tai’an Industry Park facility in Shandong Province. The line, which will produce a variety of fluid milk products, has a capacity of 88 MT daily. … The Kraft Heinz Co. named Steve Cahillane CEO of the company effective Jan. 1, 2026. He will also join the company’s board of directors and serve as CEO of Global Taste Elevation Co., following the company’s planned split into two independent companies. Cahillane, who was previously CEO of Kellanova, succeeds Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who will serve as an advisor to the company until March 6, 2026. … Dairy Farmers of Canada appointed Annie AcMoody as its new CEO, effective Feb. 9, 2026. AcMoody has worked with DFC for more than five years, serving in progressively more senior roles and contributing to policy, economics, trade, and sustainability initiatives. She succeeds Lucie Bérubé, who has served as interim CEO since April 2025 and will return to her role as COO. … Chinese burger chain Tastien (Tasiiting) is getting back into the pizza business six years after exiting the sector. The company is reopening stores featuring both typical Western-style pizzas as well as items featuring more traditional Chinese-cuisine toppings, such as Kung Pao chicken. … Ireland-based Kerry Group announced a strategic agreement with Expo City Dubai to establish a new regional customer co-creation center that aims to enhance food and beverage innovation in the Middle East. The new center will be located within Expo City Dubai, the UAE’s first Green Innovation District, and will serve as a hub for research, development and application, enabling Kerry to collaborate closely with its customers from initial concept through to commercialization. (USDEC China office; Company reports; FoodBev Media, 12/15/25)

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The U.S. Dairy Export Council fosters collaborative industry partnerships with processors, trading companies and others to enhance global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients. USDEC is primarily supported by Dairy Management Inc. through the dairy farmer checkoff.