China’s Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. has confirmed it is lining up a possible offer for US organic dairy business Stonyfield from French dairy giant Danone.

News of a possible deal emerged this week, when The New York Post said it had been told by “sources close to the process” that Yili had bid around US$850m to buy Stonyfield, which Danone is selling as part of a deal with local regulators on the company’s acquisition of US food and beverage group WhiteWave Foods.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

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

Find out more

A spokesperson for Danone told just-food yesterday (10 May) the group would not be commenting on the report.

However, in a stock exchange filing, Yili has said it is in “the preparatory stage” of the process but had yet to make a formal bid.

Dean Foods, the US milk supplier, is also still in the running to buy Stonyfield, according to a source quoted by the New York Post, although a spokesperson for the company told just-food: “It’s our policy not to comment on rumours or market speculation.”

Last summer, Danone announced it had struck a deal to buy Alpro and Silk owner WhiteWave for $12.5bn. In December, Danone sold a unit in Belgium to secure EU approval for its acquisition of WhiteWave. Danone completed the deal last month.

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