Saputo signs deal to sell two milk processing plants in Australia to Coles Group

Saputo Inc. has signed a deal to promote two milk processing vegetation in Australia to grocery store big Coles Group Ltd. for about $95 million.

The Canadian dairy big says the contemporary milk processing services are within the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales.

Saputo says the deal is anticipated to shut within the second half of the yr and is topic to customary circumstances, together with clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Coles Group consists of grocery shops, liquor shops, gasoline and comfort retailers, a loyalty program and monetary providers.

Saputo says the sale will assist streamline its operations and permit it to reinvest in different areas of its business.

CEO Lino Saputo says the corporate is regularly working to make sure it has the suitable manufacturing footprint and product providing to boost its place as a high-quality, low-cost processor.

“This marks an important step in executing our long-term vision for success in Australia as we maintain a sharp focus on efficiency to ensure we maximize the return on every litre of milk,” he stated in an announcement.

Australia deregulated its dairy market and eradicated help costs and quotas in 2000.

According to Saputo’s web site, the corporate first entered Australia in 2014, buying a majority curiosity within the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Co. Holdings Ltd.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 3, 2023.