Canadian dairy cooperative Agropur has agreed to sell its “fine cheese” business to the local unit of French group Lactalis.
The transaction includes the Quebec-made brands Oka, Monsieur Gustav and L’Extra along with the Oka and Saint‑Hyacinthe production facilities in the province.
Agropur will also divest its fine cheese import activities as part of the deal, Lactalis said in its statement.
In a separate release, Agropur said the move is part of an ongoing plan to “simplify and optimise its operations” and support its “long‑term competitiveness”.
The cooperative added that it intends to focus on operations that generate the “greatest value” for its farmer members. This includes production of fluid milk, industrial cheese, butter and dairy ingredients.
Agropur said that its fine cheese business was “profitable”. However, the unit represented “only a small portion” of its operations. The business confirmed separately to Just Food that the unit accounts for around 2% of consolidated revenue.
The Quebec-based cooperative specialises in mozzarella, provolone, cheddar and feta, supplying the retail, foodservice and industrial sectors.
Agropur will have 26 plants following the transaction with Lactalis. It said it expects the transaction to become effective “in a few months”.
Lactalis said the addition of Agropur brands “enhance” its specialty and core cheese portfolio.
Around 400 employees will join the French dairy giant's Canadian arm as a result of the transaction, it added.
Lactalis Group chairman Emmanuel Besnier said: “This acquisition represents a major opportunity for Lactalis to build on flagship Quebec brands and outstanding cheesemaking expertise.
“It strengthens our position in the Canadian market and supports our ambition to provide consumers with healthy, high-quality dairy products, driven by excellence and innovation.”
The deal follows Lactalis’ €9m ($10.5m) investment in a dairy-desserts manufacturing site in Czechia earlier this month. The diary giant also snapped up UK-based business Protein Works in June.
