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Canadian dairy cooperative Agropur has agreed to sell its fine cheese business to Lactalis, marking a strategic move to streamline operations and concentrate investment on its core value-added dairy activities.

The proposed transaction includes Agropur's Oka and Saint-Hyacinthe production facilities, along with the brands associated with its fine cheese portfolio. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

According to Agropur, the divestment forms part of a broader strategy to simplify its operations and strengthen its long-term competitiveness by focusing on higher-growth areas of the business.

Roger Massicotte, president of Agropur, said: "This decision has been carefully considered and is intended to strengthen the Cooperative's long-term competitiveness and ensure its sustainability. Although profitable, the fine cheese business represents only a small portion of our operations, accounting for approximately 2% of our consolidated revenue and 2% of the milk processed in our Canadian plants."

Following completion of the transaction, Agropur said it will prioritise investment in strategic product categories including fluid milk, value-added milk, industrial cheese, butter and dairy ingredients.

Émile Cordeau, CEO of Agropur, said: "Over the coming years, Agropur will focus its efforts and investments on strategic activities that generate the greatest value for its dairy farmer members, namely the production of fluid milk, including value-added milk, industrial cheese, butter and dairy ingredients."

He added that the move would strengthen the cooperative's position as a preferred dairy supplier to the food industry while enabling it to continue developing high-quality products aligned with changing customer demand.

Agropur also acknowledged the heritage of its fine cheese business, which includes the iconic Oka brand, and said it would work alongside Lactalis to ensure a smooth transition for employees and business partners.

Olivier Gardère, president of Category Cheese Canada, said: "Agropur acknowledges the historical importance of its fine cheese business in Québec and wishes to highlight the expertise and dedication of the employees who contributed to this sector. Agropur will work closely with Lactalis until the transaction is completed to ensure an orderly transition for employees and partners."

The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Agropur is Canada's largest dairy cooperative, operating 28 production facilities across Canada and the US. In 2025, the cooperative generated CAD $8.9 billion in revenue and processed 6.7 billion litres of milk on behalf of its 2,700 dairy farmer members.

Top image: © Agropur