Lactalis to acquire Uruguay’s Granja Pocha expanding dairy operations

CANADA – Lactalis has announced plans to acquire Uruguayan dairy company Granja Pocha in a deal that will see the French dairy giant take full ownership of the family-owned business. 

Granja Pocha produces a range of dairy products, including cheese and yoghurt, under its Colonial brand and operates a manufacturing facility in Juan Lacaze, a city in southwestern Uruguay. 

The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, and the transaction remains subject to approval by Uruguay’s competition authority.

A spokesperson for Lactalis said the acquisition would strengthen the company’s position in Uruguay’s dairy market by adding an additional 60 million litres of milk to its processing capacity. 

“With this acquisition, Lactalis Uruguay will expand its local market position, and an additional 60 million litres of milk will be processed into dairy products, complementing Lactalis Uruguay’s existing offer of cheese, fluid milk, and milk powder,” the spokesperson reported. 

The company also stated that integrating Granja Pocha into its operations would enhance its sustainability in the medium and long term.

Lactalis has assured that all 160 employees of Granja Pocha will be retained after the acquisition. 

Edgardo Villanueva, director of Granja Pocha, along with his family, will continue collaborating with the business post-transaction. 

The deal will also see Lactalis’ Uruguayan operations benefit from the addition of Granja Pocha’s production capabilities, complementing its existing facility in Cardona, which includes a drying tower used in dairy processing.

Granja Pocha is known for a diverse range of dairy products, including dairy desserts and dulce de leche, a caramel-based sweet treat popular in Latin America. 

The acquisition will allow Lactalis to diversify its offerings in the region further.

 A company official emphasized the significance of the acquisition, stating, “This move aligns with our long-term strategy to enhance our footprint in Uruguay and strengthen our dairy portfolio in South America.”

Lactalis, which owns brands such as Président, has been expanding its global presence through acquisitions, and the purchase of Granja Pocha is expected to reinforce its position in Uruguay’s dairy sector. 

The company has not indicated any immediate changes to Granja Pocha’s operations but noted that the integration process would focus on maintaining product quality and market presence.