Granarolo buys Lat Bri in Italy

Italian dairy Granarolo joins the European top milk processors with a takeover increasing its annual turnover to over EUR1 billion and giving the Bologna-based concern a claimed 20% of the domestic cheese market. Granarolo, with 11 processing plants and a pioneer of mini-mozzarellas (125 g balls in 1 kg pots) as well as bio-mozzarella, is reputed to be paying EUR100 million for the cheese making concern Lat Bri. Lat Bri is listed as the third-largest producer of cream cheeses in Italy. Along with the acquisition come plans for a rapid expansion towards a turnover of EUR1.6 m within five years, according to Granarolo management. The company has also let it be known that it wants to become an important player in the European export market for its main cheeses. These include mozzarella but the range is wide, including all of Italy’s best-known cheeses including mascarpone, parmigiano-reggiano, gorgonzola and pecorino.