Lactalis: A Global Dairy Powerhouse

Headquartered in Laval, Mayenne, France, Lactalis stands as the largest dairy company worldwide. The company operates an extensive network of over 266 factories and distributes a wide range of dairy products to more than 150 countries, supported by a robust workforce of 85,500 employees.

Financial Performance

In 2024, Lactalis achieved a revenue milestone of €30.3 billion. Although the company experienced a 19% decline in net profits due to a substantial tax settlement in France, it demonstrated resilience. By 2025, revenues rose to €31.2 billion, marking a 2.9% growth from the previous year. Notably, Lactalis was ranked as the largest dairy company with a turnover of €35.5 billion in 2025.

Important Company Events

Lactalis has actively expanded its global presence through strategic acquisitions and investments. The company enhanced local employment in Colombia, acquired BMI dairy assets in Southern Germany, and purchased the Cremora creamer business from Nestlé to extend its market reach in Africa. In the United States, Lactalis acquired General Mills' yogurt business, and in Brazil, it invested €55.3 million to improve facilities in Paraná and Minas Gerais. On May 5, 2025, Lactalis strengthened its cheese manufacturing capabilities by acquiring Portugal's Queijos Tavares.

In Oceania, a significant milestone was the $3.4 billion acquisition of Fonterra's Australian operations. Lactalis also acquired ProViva, a Swedish probiotic brand, to strategically expand its product portfolio. The company faced challenges including the closure of the South Brisbane factory following the Fonterra acquisition and a recall of six batches of Picot infant formula due to cereulide toxin detection. In the New Zealand market, Lactalis plans to finalize the sale of its global consumer businesses with Fonterra.

In Paraguay, a subsidiary is driving double-digit growth by expanding industrial capacity, aiming to become a regional export hub. The company also launched the Siggi’s skyr range in the UK, targeting the consumer demand for 'clean protein' products.

Company Plans

Lactalis focuses on global expansion, increased market penetration, and product diversification. The company emphasizes eco-friendly packaging innovations and integrating AI and Big Data to enhance operational efficiency, particularly in Spain and Australia. Under the leadership of CEO Emmanuel Besnier and strategic insights from José Sáez, General Manager of Purchases and Supplies in Spain and Portugal, Lactalis continues to pursue growth and innovation.

Plans include not renewing its milk collection agreement with Luxembourg's Prolek cooperative after April 2027, ending a 40-year partnership. Lactalis also plans to expand its German dairy plant to significantly increase processing capacities by 2030. The company has committed €1 billion to modernize its domestic facilities in France and announced a €200 million investment strategy from 2026 to 2030 to enhance operations.

Lactalis was involved in a milk cartel confirmed by the Spanish Supreme Court, which might lead to significant compensations for affected producers. In Czechia, an investment of €9 million is planned to improve its dessert production facility in Ostrava. The acquisition of the renowned Quebec cheese brand OKA adds two production facilities and approximately 400 employees to its Canadian workforce.

In Colombia, Lactalis reports signs of recovery in the dairy market, with improvements in economic stability and milk availability. The company plans to strengthen its presence through investments in the Medellín, Cereté, and Chía plants to expand the production of value-added and functional nutritional foods.

Lactalis leverages its strong Australian presence to expand into Southeast Asian markets. The strategy involves using Australia as a manufacturing hub to serve rapidly growing markets in Southeast Asia, focusing on high-value dairy exports, fresh milk, and specialized yogurt lines. The company maintains partnerships with local dairy farming families and invests in processing infrastructure.

Lactalis aims to solidify its status as the world's largest dairy processor, focusing on high-margin consumer categories and integrating regional supply chains. The company has signed an agreement to acquire Saputo’s UK business, marking its fourth dairy deal in two months, which is expected to strengthen its position in the UK. Lactalis is also identified as a key participant in the global whey permeate market. The company is involved in Uruguay’s dairy processing sector and is among the organizations that receive a major portion of the milk in Uruguay’s processing industry.

Lactalis plans to shut its Longwarry plant in Victoria next year. The company stated that milk collection and farmgate supply agreements with farmers would continue unchanged. The decision forms part of a consolidation prompted by uneven use of processing capacity in Victoria.

Lactalis remains the sector’s largest processor and further strengthens its global ranking through organic expansion and acquisitions.

French dairy group initiating a competitive tender for media-planning and buying business. Lactalis has opened a process for its European media-planning and buying business, valued at £80m, covering main European markets. They aim to identify partners for integrated omnichannel campaigns.