Swiss dairy processor Emmi acquires majority stake in AVH Dairy Trade

Switzerland-based dairy processor Emmi has acquired a 70% stake in AVH Dairy Trade, a goat and sheep milk products manufacturer based in Bergen, the Netherlands, for an undisclosed amount.

The deal is part of Emmi’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global goat and sheep milk products market.

AVH Dairy Trade, established in 2001, primarily produces goat and sheep milk products – its goat milk product portfolio includes butter, cheese, milk powder, liquid milk, and frozen milk extract, while its sheep milk product range includes cheese, milk powder, and liquid milk.

The company also offers organic cow’s milk products and a wide range of dairy ingredients for the retail and foodservice industry.

AVH Dairy Trade, which primarily caters to the EU, the US and Asia, posted revenues of about €16.5m (CHF20m) in 2012.

Emmi chief executive officer Urs Riedener said that the acquisition expands Emmi’s goat and sheep cheese business, which is already active in Switzerland and the US.

"It will be an ideal complement to our product range in attractive markets," Riedener added.

With the acquisition, AVH Dairy Trade has become a subsidiary of Emmi Nederland, and will continue to operate independently.

Emmi, headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, is engaged in the production and marketing of dairy products such as cheese, including hard, semi-hard, soft cheese, fondue, raclette, fresh cheese, mozzarella, and processed cheese.

It serves customers in the retail, wholesale, catering, hospitality and food industries, and has annual revenues of CHF2.7bn ($2.9bn).