Triballat Rians has identified Lactalis as the partner best placed to support the long-term future and growth of its cheese and dairy dessert businesses. In a press release dated 23 July, the family-run business based in Rians announced that it was entering “exclusive negotiations with a view to the potential sale of 100 per cent of its share capital to Lactalis.
Triballat Rians, not to be confused with Triballat Noyal (renamed Olga), is known for its AOP cheeses made from goat’s milk, such as Crottin de Chavignol, Selles-sur-Cher, Valançay, Rocamadour and Pouligny-Saint-Pierre; and those made from cow’s milk, such as Époisses and Langres AOP. The cheese division accounts for 60 per cent of the Berry-based company’s turnover, whilst ultra-fresh products (Rians faisselle, desserts such as crème brûlée, and fromage blanc) make up 40 per cent of sales.
A year ago, Lactalis CEO Emmanuel Besnier believed that the agri-food sector in Europe was not sufficiently concentrated, and said he was ready to make acquisitions in France, even though “there aren’t necessarily many opportunities there”.
