Global Dairy Giants Eye Fonterra's Coveted Consumer Operations

The competitive landscape for acquiring Fonterra’s consumer operations is intensifying, as leading dairy companies, Lactalis and Bega Cheese, emerge as primary contenders for its esteemed brands, including Anchor and Kāpiti.

Lactalis, recognized as the world’s largest dairy company, is vying for the acquisition alongside Australia’s Bega Cheese, which is supported by billionaire Andrew Forrest. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has acknowledged receiving an application from France's Lactalis seeking an informal merger clearance for the purchase.

Notwithstanding ongoing legal challenges with Bega Cheese over trademark rights, Fonterra’s strategic sale plan proceeds unabated. The motivation behind these transactions is the allure of Fonterra's prized dairy assets in the competitive global market.