Lactalis has designated Australia as one of its five key global regional platforms, thereby positioning the country both as a domestic market and as a production base from which to tap into the South-East Asian markets. This move follows the acquisition of the Mainland Group from Fonterra, completed in March, for 1.9 billion euros. Speaking to the *Australian Financial Review*, CEO Emmanuel Besnier described Australia as a cornerstone of the group’s regional expansion, highlighting the strength of the country’s raw milk supply despite declining milk production and ongoing pressure on margins. The strategy positions the Australian sites as a springboard for supplying markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines. Besnier explained that further investment in processing is essential to secure the company’s market position and consolidate its status as the world’s largest dairy processor.