Grupo Piracanjuba has successfully acquired Natulact, another prominent Brazilian dairy business, for an undisclosed sum.
Natulact, based in Nossa Senhora da Glória in northeast Brazil’s Sergipe state, lies approximately 115 km from Aracaju, the state capital.
This acquisition marks Grupo Piracanjuba’s inaugural manufacturing site in the region, expanding its total to eight production facilities across central, southern, and southeastern Brazil.
Luiz Claudio Lorenzo, President of Grupo Piracanjuba, stated, “It will be Grupo Piracanjuba’s first factory in the north-east, reinforcing the company’s expansion in the region, as we will become more competitive.”
In its announcement, Grupo Piracanjuba highlighted strategic synergies and Natulact’s advantageous location within the Northeast dairy basin as key factors influencing this decision.
Natulact offers a diverse portfolio, including mozzarella, Minas frescal cheese, butter, and powdered whey.
Looking ahead, Grupo Piracanjuba plans to retain Natulact’s cheese line while enhancing the product lineup and increasing production capacity.
The company’s extensive range features over 200 products under the Piracanjuba, Emana, and LeitBom brands.
Initially, production will operate under the Natulact brand, transitioning to the Piracanjuba branding over time.
“Immediately, production will start with the Natulact brand and gradually, the Piracanjuba brand will be applied,” Lorenzo explained.
This transaction awaits the approval of Brazil’s competition authority, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense.
Grupo Piracanjuba aims to maintain all direct jobs linked to the Natulact factory, which employs around 260 individuals.
Last month, French dairy giant Lactalis announced plans for further investment in Brazil, aimed at boosting cheese and butter production in Minas Gerais.