Coleme Dairy Plant
The Coleme Dairy Plant, situated in Cerro Largo, Uruguay, holds a strategic position for reaching both local and regional markets. Despite its advantageous location, the plant has been non-operational since 2017, primarily due to declining production and financial difficulties.
Important Events
Recent developments indicate potential revitalization efforts for the Coleme plant. An Argentine businessman is in discussions to acquire the facility, aiming to bring innovative production strategies to the table. This initiative is expected to restart operations, diversify production lines, and expand market reach, potentially benefiting the local economy significantly.
Company Plans
The new ownership envisions transforming Coleme into a significant player in the dairy industry once more. However, the cooperative is presently undergoing a critical restructuring period. The cooperative's assembly has deferred a decision on redirecting milk production to Conaprole until May 29, 2026. This postponement is attributed to several challenges faced by local producers, including payment delays, limited investment capacity, and increasing debts with suppliers. Concerns have also been raised about the viability of the cooperative's facilities by representatives from Coleme's base committees.
Coleme, once Uruguay's oldest dairy cooperative, officially closed after dwindling from over 70 producers to just 12. Attempts to rescue the cooperative included negotiations with an Argentine investor, though these discussions did not result in a successful transaction.
Modified: 2026/06/22