Groupe Lactalis, France, and Swiss Nestle, say they will partner to produce and market a portfolio of chilled dairy yogurts and desserts in Europe under established Nestle brands. The proposal is to be implemented in 2006, and on completion Nestle will hold 40% of the proposed venture's shares while Lactalis will hold 60%. Annual sales for the product line are expected to total about $1.8 billion.
Nestle has also acquired Delta Ice Cream SA in a deal worth around $290 million. With sales of $144 million in 2004 and four production facilities, Delta Ice Cream is the leading ice cream business in Greece as well as in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro.