Lactalis: A Dominant Force in the Global Dairy Industry

Company Overview

Company Name: Lactalis

Location: Laval, Mayenne, France

Financial Performance

In 2024, Lactalis achieved a significant revenue milestone of €30.3 billion, despite experiencing a 19% decline in net profits due to a substantial tax settlement in France.

Important Company Events

Colombian Expansion: Strategic investments in Colombia have bolstered local employment and fostered economic growth.
Southern Germany Acquisition: Acquisition of BMI dairy assets strengthened Lactalis' foothold in one of Europe's key dairy regions.
South African Ventures: The purchase of the Cremora creamer business from Nestlé marked a significant expansion in Africa.
U.S. Market Expansion: Acquisition of General Mills' U.S. yogurt business enhanced Lactalis' operations in North America.
Investment in Brazil: €55.3 million was invested to upgrade facilities in Paraná and Minas Gerais.
Queijos Tavares Acquisition: On May 5, 2025, Lactalis announced the acquisition of Portugal's Queijos Tavares, expanding its cheese manufacturing capabilities.
Potential Plant Closure: Considerations to close the Cardona plant could impact around 150 jobs, sparking discussions on restructuring operations with seasonal work and wage adjustments.
Controversies: Allegations of questionable pricing practices in Galicia have attracted scrutiny.
Price Adjustments: Lactalis raised the milk price by 1.5 cents per liter, setting the new base at 42.5 cents, a move in response to improving European dairy market conditions.
Fonterra Acquisition: Lactalis has made significant progress in acquiring Fonterra's consumer brands, including Anchor and Mainland, strengthening its presence in Oceania.
Contract Violations: Lactalis faced a fine of $950,000 for contract violations, highlighting the importance of regulatory compliance.

Company Plans

Lactalis is committed to further global expansion, enhancing market penetration, and diversifying its product offerings. The company is actively pursuing eco-friendly packaging innovations and has submitted a proposal to acquire Fonterra's assets. Integration of AI and Big Data into operations is underway to improve efficiency and competitiveness, particularly in Spanish and Australian operations.

Leadership

Emmanuel Besnier serves as the CEO, steering Lactalis towards continuous growth and maintaining its competitive edge in the global dairy industry.

Conclusion

With revenue surpassing €30 billion for the first time in 2024, Lactalis solidifies its status as France's largest dairy group. Ongoing expansions and strategic acquisitions in Colombia, Germany, South Africa, the USA, Brazil, and Portugal demonstrate the company's trajectory towards sustained growth and a stronger global presence. Despite facing challenges such as potential plant closures and controversies, Lactalis remains focused on innovation and market expansion. The closure of its plant in Cardona reflects the adverse conditions in Uruguay's dairy sector.

Lactalis is acquiring Fonterra's global consumer business. Lactalis, a family-owned business, has agreed to purchase several assets from Fonterra for $3.845 billion, contingent upon certain financial adjustments and conditions, including approval from Fonterra's farmer shareholders and securing final regulatory approvals.

Modified: 2025/08/22