Fonterra bid takes in Yoplait brand

By LIAM DANN

The local yoghurt and dairy food market is in for a shakeup if Fonterra succeeds in its bid for Australian dairy company National Foods.

Yoplait-brand products are manufactured and sold in New Zealand by National Foods subsidiary International Fine Foods.

Graham Stuart, Fonterra director of strategy and growth, said the co-operative would look to integrate Yoplait into its brand portfolio if it achieved its ultimate goal of controlling 100 per cent of National Foods.


Stuart said the company was not anticipating any major regulatory hurdles with the Commerce Commission.

Fonterra has signalled that it is likely to sell some of its West Australian fresh milk business to meet competition regulations on that side of the Tasman.


Fonterra's biggest domestic rival - Graeme Hart's New Zealand Dairy Foods - owns a long list of brands, including yoghurts Fresh n Fruity, De Winkel and Slimmers Choice, and dairy food Swiss Maid.

It also controls the Anchor brand in New Zealand. (Outside of New Zealand that brand is Fonterra's).


* National Foods' share price fell back slightly yesterday to $5.76, still above Fonterra's offer price of A$5.45.