Dairy company chases dairy producer

Australian dairy company National Foods Ltd said on Monday it would make a A$77 million (45 million euros) cash offer for Australian dairy producer King Island Company Ltd. National Foods said it would offer A$3.25 cash for each King Island share, valuing King Island at A$77 million (45 million euros), as it seeks to boost its sales of premium cheeses and cream. King Island shares leapt 10.4 per cent to A$3.19 (1.87 euros)after a trading halt was lifted in a higher overall morning market. National Foods stock gained 1.5 per cent to A$2.71 (1.59 euros) King Island directors unanimously recommended the offer, which is expected to be earnings-accretive in the first full year of ownership for National Foods. "It will deliver a platform for further growth in the high value-added sector of the cheese market and an opportunity to leverage off King Island's technical expertise in our existing cheese business,"​ National Foods managing director Max Ould said in a statement. National Foods said it would fund the acquisition by debt facilities.The company told shareholders two weeks ago it was pursuing small acquisitions of probably less than A$100 million (58.7 million euros).