The giant Lactalis, which already controls some historic Italian brands, has acquired the entire capital of Nuova Castelli, leader in the distribution of Italian PDO cheeses
Parmesan cheese becomes French: the giant Lactalis, which already controls other historic Italian brands such as Galbani, Parmalat, Cademartori, Vallelata, Invernizzi and Locatelli, has put a new flag on the Italian food industry. He took over, for 270 million, the entire capital of Nuova Castelli (approximately 80% owned by the British investment fund Chartherhouse Capital Partner), a Reggio Emilia company leader in the distribution of Italian PDO cheeses and the main exporter of Parmesan in the world, of which it produces about 105 thousand forms per year.
Thus it incorporates a company with a thousand employees, with 13 production sites in Italy and 3 abroad, which in 2014 invoiced 460 million euros, of which 70% thanks to the export of PDO cheeses. Not only parmesan, but also gorgonzola and buffalo mozzarella: the most popular brands within the Nuova Castelli portfolio are Castelli, Mandara and Alival. The French multinational explains, with a note, that it has "strengthened its leadership in the distribution of Italian Dop cheeses on international markets, where it is already a protagonist with a commercial and distribution presence in over 140 countries .
The path of the sale of Nuova Castelli had begun at the beginning of the year. Even if the group never confirmed it, among the offers that had arrived there would have been also that of Granarolo and some foreign funds, but the proposal of Lactalis, which is said to ready to "support Italian PDO products in the world", it was preferred to all the others.
Coldiretti and Cia Agricoltori had announced that they would do "everything to protect the Italian food industry from the onslaught of foreign multinationals" (there was also talk of setting up an Italian consortium). And the Agriculture Minister, Gian Marco Centinaio he had promised to defend the Parmesan cheese "without ifs and buts". But their outcry did not help to prevent the sale.
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