The second-largest co-operative dairy in France after the Sodiaal Group will be formed following plans to merge Eurial-Poitouraine and Le Glac (Poitou-Charente and Loire regions) within the next 18 months. In fact within 12 months, the two co-ops say that milk collection services as well as R&D facilities will be working closely together.
With 1,600 million kg of cow milk and around 300 million kg goat milk processed, the proposed amalgamation is part of developments, say market observers in France, that will see many smaller specialist dairies joining forces with the next few years in an effort to synchronise marketing and create more stable businesses capable of weathering price fluctuations on the world market. Going by present figures the new dairy would have a turnover of around EUR1.3 billion and 26 separate dairy and cheese-making plants. Main products from Eurial and Le Glac are cow and goat milk cheeses, butter and food ingredients.