Mexican dairy company Grupo Lala has entered into a multi-year license agreement with Blue Diamond Growers to market and distribute its Almond Breeze range of beverages in Mexico.
Blue Diamond Almond Breeze will coexist with Lala’s Vita Almendras beverage, which has a different formulation and product positioning.
Group Lala said the deal will enable it to participate in two different market segments; Almond Breeze will be focused on the premium market, while its Soy Vita brand will address the mainstream, value market.
As part of the relationship, Blue Diamond Growers will source almond-based raw materials, while Grupo Lala will provide local and regional market knowledge while leveraging its production and distribution capabilities.
Mauricio Leyva, who was appointed Grupo Lala CEO last September, said: “Lala’s partnership with Blue Diamond Growers strengthens our product portfolio, market-leading brands and an almond-based innovation pipeline to complement Lala’s robust suite of exceptional products within our protein-based portfolio. This also reinforces our premiumisation strategy to offer customers a diverse range of healthy and nutritious options.”
He added: “I am confident that partnering with the global almond leader, complemented by Lala’s strong commercialisation capabilities, will result in a successful long-term relationship that could continue to expand into other categories in the future.”
Blue Diamond Growers CEO Mark Jansen said: “Mexico is a key market for Blue Diamond Growers in Latin America and one of the most relevant for the company’s growth. Blue Diamond Growers has been making a significant investment in developing its international business and the Blue Diamond Almond Breeze brand globally.”
Last month, Blue Diamond expanded the Almond Breeze line with two new creamers and an almond milk blended with bananas.
The cooperative has also started a project to expand its processing facility in Turlock, California, as part of plans to grow its value-added product offer.
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