Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream Holdingssays sales of its branded products increased $429 million, or 49%, for the 2003 fiscal year ended Dec. 25 to $1.3 billion driven primarily by the Dreyer's Nestle Transaction, and strong sales growth of both Dreyer's and Edy's Grand and Dreyer's and Edy's Slow Churned Light ice creams.

Groupe Danone will increase its stake in Bright Dairy & Food Co to 9.7% through two share transfer deals. The company's board has approved the stock sale to the Paris-based Groupe Danone, the Shanghai-listed Bright Dairy said in a statement to the stock exchange. Previously, Danone's Asian unit held a 3.85 per cent stake in the Shanghai company.

Don Desjarlais, formerly of Alto Dairy Cooperative has been appointed ex. v.p., President and Chief Financial Officer of Lucille Farms Inc. , Montville N.J a manufacturer and marketer of mozzarella cheese.

France's Groupe Lactalis is targeting about $48 million in annual sales of cheese in Japan in the next few years. The world's second-largest producer of cheese will make a large-scale entry into Japan this month with the help of Japanese trading firm Itochu Corp. which will be its sales agent.

Thirty five Polish dairies have been granted Russian export certificates, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. From January to September 2004, Poland's dairy exports to Russia reached $40 million.