Lactalis Expands into Uruguay with Planned Acquisition of Granja Pocha

Lactalis, the prominent French dairy company known for brands such as Président, has announced its plan to acquire Granja Pocha, a family-owned dairy business in Uruguay. The acquisition aims to bolster Lactalis' presence in the South American market.

Operating in the city of Juan Lacaze, Granja Pocha is renowned for producing a variety of dairy products including cheese, yogurt, and the popular Latin-American dessert dulce de leche under its Colonial brand. The transaction will expand Lactalis’ existing operations in Uruguay, allowing the company to process an additional 60 million liters of milk into diverse dairy products.

A spokesperson for Lactalis highlighted that this strategic acquisition will not only enhance their market position but also integrate production from two facilities, including their existing plant in Cardona.

The terms of the acquisition remain confidential, and the deal is currently awaiting approval from Uruguay’s competition authority. All 160 employees of Granja Pocha will retain their positions post-acquisition. Edgardo Villanueva, the Director of Granja Pocha, and his family will continue to play a role in the business after the acquisition.

This strategic move underscores Lactalis’ aggressive expansion strategy in the global dairy market as they continue to seek new growth opportunities in South America.