Three French milk co-operatives Coopagri Bretagne, Even and Terrena are in talks over a possible merger.


Coopagri Bretagne has confirmed to just-food that discussions centre on setting up a new company, which would acquire the milk production assets of the three co-ops – including plans, staff and business. 


If agreement is reached between the three sides, the new company will be officially unveiled at the end of the year.
 
The firm is expected to generate a turnover of EUR1.5bn (US$2.3bn) and have an annual production output of almost 1.5bn litres of milk.


The company would rank third in the French dairy sector behind Lactalis and Sodiaal.