French dairy giant Lactalis plans to acquire Granja Pocha, a family-owned dairy company in Uruguay, strengthening its South American presence. The acquisition will expand Lactalis’ processing capacity and market reach.
French dairy multinational Lactalis, known for its leading dairy brands such as Président, has announced its plan to acquire Granja Pocha, a family-owned dairy company based in Juan Lacaze, Uruguay. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Lactalis’ presence in South America, allowing it to expand its milk processing operations in the region.
Granja Pocha is a well-established name in Uruguay’s dairy industry, specializing in cheese, yogurt, and dulce de leche under its Colonial brand. The company operates from Juan Lacaze in the Colonia department, producing a wide range of dairy products for local and export markets. With this acquisition, Lactalis aims to integrate Granja Pocha’s production with its existing dairy plant in Cardona, further optimizing its supply chain in Uruguay.
Strategic Expansion in Uruguay
The deal will enable Lactalis to process an additional 60 million liters of milk annually, boosting production capacity and expanding its reach in the Uruguayan and South American dairy markets. The company’s spokesperson highlighted that this move aligns with Lactalis’ broader strategy of reinforcing its global market presence through strategic acquisitions.
While the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, the transaction is currently pending approval from Uruguay’s competition authority. Lactalis has assured that all 160 employees of Granja Pocha will retain their positions after the acquisition, ensuring continuity in operations. Edgardo Villanueva, the Director of Granja Pocha, along with his family, will remain actively involved in the business post-acquisition.
Lactalis’ Growing Footprint in South America
Lactalis has been aggressively expanding in Latin America, recognizing the region’s growing dairy demand. With this acquisition, the company strengthens its foothold in Uruguay and enhances its ability to cater to both domestic and international markets.
As Lactalis awaits regulatory approval, industry experts anticipate that the move will contribute to Uruguay’s dairy sector’s growth, fostering increased production capacity and market competitiveness.
