Lactalis has agreed a deal to buy Australian cheese business Jindi from local FMCG sales and marketing firm Menora Foods.
Jindi, which Menora said manufactures "speciality" cheese, will join a Lactalis Australian cheese portfolio that includes Lemnos, which produces fetta and haloumi. The deal is expected to be completed next month. Financial details were not disclosed.
Menora said the Jindi portfolio includes "premium" white, washed rind, blue mould and pressed cheeses. It said Lactalis had "signalled their intention to continue to invest in the business".
Menora added the transaction would enable it to focus on selling and marketing its portfolio of third-party brands. In Australia, it represents brands including Andros' Bonne Maman jam and Greek yoghurt business Chobani.
The deal adds to a Lactalis business in Australia that not only includes Lemnos but also the Parmalat operations it acquired last year when it bought a majority stake in the Italian dairy giant. Australia is one of Parmalat's biggest international markets.
