Catupiry Agrees to Buy Leprino Foods' Brazilian Operation

The proposed acquisition covers a plant in Tapejara, in north-western Paraná, as well as milk-collection stations in Guaraniaçu and Santa Maria do Oeste. The facilities connect the processor with dairy farmers supplying milk in the region.

Catupiry is historically associated with cream cheese but now sells more than 130 products. The company said the acquisition would add an established industrial base and a network of suppliers to its existing national presence.

Leprino Foods was founded in Denver, United States, in 1950 and is described as the world's largest mozzarella producer. Its Brazilian operation also makes dairy ingredients, including whey and lactose, which are sold mainly to food-service customers.

Food service is one of the stated targets of the deal. Restaurants, pizzerias and other professional catering businesses require products with consistent specifications, yield and supply. Leprino has international experience in that segment, while Catupiry said it aims to expand distribution through retailers, distributors and professional customers across Brazil.

The agreement does not yet constitute a completed sale. Cade must assess possible effects on competition in the dairy sector before the transaction can be finalised. Until that review is completed, the plant, collection stations and commercial structures remain outside Catupiry's integrated operation.

If approved, the transaction would combine Catupiry's cream-cheese business with Leprino's mozzarella manufacturing and dairy-ingredient activities in Brazil. The company has identified product range, production capacity and food-service distribution as areas covered by the proposed combination.