Agropur Cooperative bought family-owned Davisco in late July, just as we were wrapping up the research for our list of the largest dairy companies. Earlier in the month, the Canadian-based dairy co-op purchased four milk and ice cream plants from Sobeys of Canada. That Agropur was on the prowl for acquisitions should have come as no surprise.
As I reported in April, Eric Brunelle, the president of Agropur’s St. Paul, Minn.-based Natrel division told me the cooperative’s goal is to be in the top 10 of the world’s most important dairies. Agropur ranks No. 8 among North American dairy processors in this year’s Dairy 100. The co-op reported 2013 revenues of $3.9 billion. Add to that No. 35 Davisco’s $990 million, and Agropur would jump to the No. 4 spot.