Lactalis to expand Canadian yogurt operations with Ultima Foods acquisition

Lactalis Canada has agreed to acquire all of the shares of dairy cooperative Agropur’s Canadian yogurt business, Ultima Foods.

The Groupe Lactalis subsidiary has not disclosed the financial terms of the transaction, which is subject to approval by Canada’s Competition Bureau.

The proposed deal includes the Iögo and Iögo Nanö yogurt brands, and the Olympic yogurt, sour cream and kefir brand.

“As a broadly based dairy products company in Canada, producing and supplying a wide variety of popular brands, this transaction will reinforce Lactalis Canada’s position in the dairy category and will help enable key customer partners in both the retail and foodservice channels to meet the growing consumer demand for yogurt products,” said Mark Taylor, president and CEO of Lactalis Canada.

The agreement also encompasses yogurt production facilities in Granby, Quebec and Delta, British Columbia, as well as the operations at a leased distribution centre in Longueuil, Quebec.

Taylor continued: “Lactalis Canada’s mission is to build on its family heritage to delight consumers with life-enriching dairy products, while making sustainable economic and social contributions that benefit its people, industry, partners and the communities in which it operates.

“In keeping with our mission, Lactalis Canada is confident that this transaction will positively support dairy farmers, retailers, consumers and the communities of Granby and Longueuil, Quebec, as well as Delta, British Columbia.”

Earlier this year, a US affiliate of Groupe Lactalis agreed to acquire The Kraft Heinz Company’s natural, grated, cultured and specialty cheese businesses for $3.2 billion.