The deal is subject to approval by Brazil’s antitrust authority, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE).
Brazilian dairy company Grupo Piracanjuba has announced the acquisition of Santa Barbara Indústria e Comércio de Bens e Laticínios (Natulact), a cheese manufacturer based in Nossa Senhora da Glória, Sergipe.
The deal marks Piracanjuba’s first production site in Brazil’s Northeast region and brings its total number of operating facilities to eight.
The move is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its national footprint. According to Piracanjuba president Luiz Claudio Lorenzo, the strategic location of Natulact – situated in one of the region’s key dairy-producing areas – played a key role in the decision.
Located around 115km from Aracaju, Natulact has been in operation for over 30 years and produces a variety of dairy products including mozzarella, coalho, prato and minas frescal cheeses, as well as butter, requeijão and powdered whey.
Initially, Piracanjuba plans to maintain Natulact’s existing product lines, with longer-term plans to expand the facility’s output and product range.
The agreement includes full ownership transfer to Piracanjuba. The Natulact brand will continue in the short term, with a gradual transition to the Piracanjuba label.
Lorenzo said:
“Our goal is for this transition to take place as smoothly as possible for all employees, suppliers and the local community... We are confident that we have much to contribute and to learn during this process, continuing the work of Santa Barbara in supporting the socioeconomic development and dairy supply chain of Sergipe."
Grupo Piracanjuba operates brands including Piracanjuba, Emana, LeitBom and licensed labels Almond Breeze, Ninho and Molico. It currently runs seven manufacturing units and 16 milk collection centres, with capacity to process up to 6 million litres of milk per day.
The deal is subject to approval by Brazil’s antitrust authority, Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE). Piracanjuba said it intends to retain the plant’s current workforce of around 260 employees and maintain relationships with existing milk suppliers.
Source: Foodbev Media
