Fonterra has confirmed that its Chilean subsidiary Soprole has withdrawn a proposal to merge its business with Nestle’s liquid and dairy business in the country.

Fonterra CEO Andrew Ferrier said today (6 April) that Soprole and Nestle have agreed to withdraw the application as the companies believed “the conditions to continue with the application were not appropriate”.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The New Zealand co-operative and the Swiss dairy giant have no plans to present a new application to the Chilean authorities.

The two companies announced plans in November to establish a joint venture for chilled and liquid dairy products in the country, which was set to include the manufacture, retail and distribution of yoghurts, desserts, fruit juices, cheese, cream, butter and margarine.

Ferrier said that Soprole would now focus on continuing to grow its consumer business in Chile. “Soprole already has a very strong position in the Chile market and has been posting strong growth in recent years. The team is now focused on building on that strong foundation.”

Nestle and Fonterra have a number of Latin American joint ventures under the Dairy Partners Americas alliance, which was launched in 2002.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now