Consolidation

Chinese dairy company Mengniu purchased Australian company Bellamy's last year, but could not complete a deal for Lion Dairy & Drinks.

Mengniu pulls plug on Lion deal

By Jim Cornall

In November 2019, China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited announced the planned acquisition of Lion-Dairy & Drinks (LDD) Pty Ltd in Australia.

Beston said the sale would enable it to reduce debt and take advantage of opportunities in line with the company’s long-term business plan.  Pic: Getty Images/nedjelly

Beston sells dairy farms for $40.4m

By Jim Cornall

Australia’s Beston Global Food Company Limited has signed an agreement with Aurora Dairies for the sale of its dairy farms in Mount Gambier to Aurora for A$40.4m (US$27.5m) in cash.

Hochdorf is concentrating its efforts on its baby care and dairy ingredients divisions.

Hochdorf to liquidate three subsidiaries

By Jim Cornall

Hochdorf Group in Switzerland is dissolving some of its companies to continue with last year’s announcement of a strategy to focus on its baby care and dairy ingredients divisions.

DFA to purchase a portion of Dean Foods’ assets for $433m

By Beth Newhart

After several months of back and forth following the Dean Foods bankruptcy, the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) co-op is acquiring a majority of its assets for $433m. Prairie Farms Dairy will also get a portion for $75m.

Dairyworks supplies New Zealand consumers with cheese, butter, milk powder and ice cream.

Synlait receives approval for Dairyworks acquisition

By Jim Cornall

Synlait Milk Limited says the Overseas Investment Office in New Zealand has granted consent under the Overseas Investment Act 2005 to its purchase of the shares in Dairyworks Limited.

The ACCC said there is spare processing capacity at other raw milk processors in the Gippsland region, giving farmers alternative buyers for their milk. Pic: Getty Images/JohnCarnemolla

ACCC gives green light to Mengniu deal to buy Lion Dairy & Drinks

By Jim Cornall

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd (Lion D&D) by China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd (Mengniu) after closely considering the potential impact on...

Hälsa called oats one of the most environmentally friendly ingredients for making plant-based milk, but the US does not currently produce oats that meet Hälsa's quality standards. Pic: Hälsa

Hälsa Foods to convert dairy farms for organic oats

By Beth Newhart

A new program from oat-based yogurt alternative brand Hälsa Foods will partner with dairy farms, and support them converting to farmlands for growing organic oats. It will be led by a team of Scandinavian farmers, researchers and environmental experts.

“We aren’t going to stop change, and we aren’t going to stop technology.

IDFA zeroes in on next-gen, and ‘making what we can sell’

By Beth Newhart

At the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Dairy Forum this week, president and CEO Michael Dykes spoke of the challenges facing US dairy, including product innovation, milk bankruptcies and setting the industry up for a sustainable future.

“Today we are finally ending the NAFTA nightmare.

USMCA signed into law by Trump

By Beth Newhart

The US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed the House in late 2019 and the Senate earlier this month. It replaces the previous North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Positive dairy reaction as USMCA passes Senate

By Beth Newhart

After months of uncertainty, the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) has officially passed the US House and Senate. President Donald Trump said he will sign it into law next week.

Saputo's takeover of Dairy Crest in the UK was the sector's biggest acquisition in 2019.

Mergers and acquisitions up again in annual Zenith report

By Jim Cornall

Zenith Global has published its database of food and drink company mergers and acquisitions in 2019, and the data show the previous record high of 777 in 2018 was broken again, with 789, an average of 15 each week.

Wisconsin lost nearly 1,500 dairies in two years, despite the industry's significant contribution to the state's economy. Pic: Getty/Dcwcreations

More than 800 Wisconsin dairies closed in 2019

By Beth Newhart

Data from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture revealed that a record 10% of dairy farms in Wisconsin shuttered last year. It topped 2018’s loss of 7.25%.

DFA forms new Ingredient Solutions division

By Beth Newhart

The Dairy Farmers of America is realigning its portfolio of dairy-based ingredients into a new group, DFA Ingredient Solutions. It says this will provide better support for food manufacturers and operators.

With the 2020 US election looming, the US dollar is expected to be volatile and affect global dairy. Pic: Getty/sergeyryzhov

Higher dairy prices are on the horizon

By Beth Newhart

As the year's fourth quarter wraps up, Rabobank's RaboResearch looks back on global dairy's performance in 2019, and ahead to 2020. Milk production and prices are up, leading to challenges for producers.

The deal is being reviewed by legal channels, and has not yet been signed by officials in either country. Pic: Getty/Christoph Burgstedt

US reaches new trade deal with China

By Beth Newhart

The US government announced a ‘Phase One’ trade deal on Friday that stipulates China will make substantial purchases of US goods and services in the coming years, including from agriculture.

Nestlé USA is the second largest ice cream manufacturer in the US, and Froneri will now be the second largest ice cream manufacturer in the world.

Froneri scoops Nestlé’s US ice cream division for $4bn

By Beth Newhart

Froneri started as an ice cream-focused joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners in 2016, and the relationship will be furthered by the acquisition of Nestlé USA’s collection of ice cream brands.

Dean Foods is ‘engaged in advanced discussions’ with the Dairy Farmers of America regarding a potential sale of all company assets.

Dean Foods files for bankruptcy in Texas

By Beth Newhart

One of the most well-known dairy companies in the US is prepared to sell its business after years of disappointing numbers. The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) may be a potential buyer of the Dean Foods assets.

Q3 marked a year since Glanbia's acquisition of SlimFast in 2018. Pic: SlimFast

Glanbia’s dairy soars while performance nutrition takes a hit

By Beth Newhart

In Glanbia’s third quarter results, the global nutrition group announced total revenues were up 16.9% with strong numbers from its Nutritional Solutions (NS) division. But Performance Nutrition (GPN) struggled despite key acquisitions.

Trade tensions between the US and China have finally started to ease, but US consumers might see the tariffs reflected in retail prices soon. Pic: Getty/Lumineux_Images

Dairy prepares for potential 2020 recession

By Beth Newhart

Global dairy markets are expected to remain firm through mid-2020, but Rabobank predicts that the second half of the year will be tighter in the face of a possible global recession.

The former co-CEOs plan to ‘stay close’ to the brand as board directors and investors, working on innovation and brand storytelling.

Yasso opens new HQ in Colorado with fresh leadership

By Beth Newhart

As a Greek yogurt-based ice cream alternative, Yasso has grown to be a nationally distributed better-for-you dessert. Now the brand is handing off its leadership to a new management team and opening a headquarters in Boulder, Colorado.

Clover has been selling products in South Africa since the late 19th Century.

Milco/Clover merger approved after improvements made

By Jim Cornall

South Africa’s Competition Tribunal has approved the merger of Milco SA (Pty) Ltd and Clover Industries Ltd, subject to employment, local procurement of bulk juice concentrate, and information sharing conditions.

Bellamy’s will become an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Mengniu after the proposed acquisition.

Mengniu looks to buy Bellamy’s

By Jim Cornall

China Mengniu Dairy’s board has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed with Australian infant formula maker Bellamy’s.

Halo Top acquired by Blue Bunny producer

By Beth Newhart

Wells Enterprises has announced its purchase of light ice cream company Halo Top. Wells already manufactures popular dessert brands like Blue Bunny, Bomb Pop and Chilly Cow.

Milco SA plans to delist the company from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) if the deal is approved.

Clover and Milco hearings continue

By Jim Cornall

The hearing into the proposed merger transaction, whereby Milco SA (Pty) Ltd (Milco) seeks to acquire Clover Industries Ltd (Clover), resumed on Monday, September 9, 2019, South Africa’s Competition Tribunal says.

 “We want an ongoing relationship with China. We are in this for the long haul.

USDEC positive after China visit in spite of new tariffs

By Beth Newhart

Over the weekend, US president Donald Trump put into effect a new round of tariffs on Chinese goods, while the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC) visited Chinese officials to preserve its relationship with China.

Large scale operations in new areas are driving US milk production. Pic: Getty/Yauhen Akulich

Are Idaho and Texas the future of US dairy?

By Beth Newhart

More milk production is happening on fewer farms, and large-scale operations have expanded into non-traditional markets. Rabobank’s latest report on the changing US dairy landscape examines the biggest challenges.

“It is vital that consumers have transparency and awareness of the quality dairy products available to them.

‘Mozzarella’ protected for global cheese use

By Beth Newhart

The European Union’s effort to take sole ownership of common cheese terms based on origin has ended in an agreement, protecting the fate of ‘mozzarella’ around the world.

“We expect to see further growth from acquisitions, with a long-awaited shift in the top three of the global ranking likely.

Rabobank publishes Dairy Top 20

By Beth Newhart

Nestlé, Lactalis and Danone continue leading the global dairy industry, but could see some shakeups in the future, according to a new analysis from Rabobank.

The proposed acquisition would combine processing plants of the second and third biggest buyers of raw milk in Tasmania.

ACCC expresses concerns over Saputo cheese business acquisition

By Jim Cornall

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it has preliminary competition concerns about Canadian dairy company Saputo’s proposed acquisition of the Tasmanian-based cheese business of competitor Lion Dairy & Drinks.

DBA ‘policy picnics’ bolster member engagement

DBA ‘policy picnics’ bolster member engagement

By Beth Newhart

This summer, the Dairy Business Association (DBA) has hosted ‘policy picnics’ in collaboration with the Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. The member events brings together the dairy community during a time of economic stress.

Synlait has taken over management and operational control of Talbot Forest Cheese. Pic: Synlait

Synlait completes Talbot Forest Cheese acquisition

By Jim Cornall

Synlait has completed the acquisition of selected assets from fellow New Zealand company Talbot Forest Cheese. The acquisition includes the property, plant and equipment at the Temuka site, along with the consumer cheese brand (Talbot Forest Cheese)....