Glanbia target Latin America

GLANBIA, the Irish food processing giant specialising in cheese and nutrition products, and Conaprole, a leading Latin American dairy co-operative based in Uruguay, are to establish a joint venture company.

It will develop dairy ingredient sales in Latin American and African markets, and promote technology transfer between the companies. Both groups announced yesterday that under the 50/50 arrangement a new sales company, Conabia, is being established in Mexico.

It will develop commercial opportunities for a full range of dairy ingredients manufactured by Conaprole in Uruguay and by Glanbia in the USA and EU.

Conabia will initially serve markets in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. In addition, Glanbia receives exclusive rights to promote Conaprole whole milk powders in Africa.

As part of the agreement, Conaprole will benefit from a technology transfer programme from Glanbia to optimise processing capabilities and develop new value-added technologies.

The agreement also allows for joint venture manufacturing where appropriate opportunities arise.

Glanbia Group Managing Director John Moloney said the agreement provides the production capabilities and product mix to meet the considerable opportunities in these markets.

Conaprole General Manager Ruben Nuñez said they were pleased to have entered into this strategic alliance with one of the most important dairy companies in the world. It is a huge step in Conaprole’s evolution as a multinational dairy company.