General Mills Announces Acquisition Of Brazilian Yogurt Maker Carolina
General Mills said today that it has acquired Brazilian yogurt maker Carolina Administracao e Participacoes Societarias Ltda., (Carolina), a privately-held dairy products company headquartered in Ribeirao Claro, Parana, Brazil.
Carolina is a family-owned Brazilian company established in 1969. A regional dairy products producer, Carolina is especially known for its regional yogurt brands, Carolina, VeryGurt and Gluck.
Operating primarily in southern and southeastern Brazil, Carolina sources high-quality milk from farmers in the dairy-rich region of Parana, and markets more than 20 different dairy product lines. Employing more than 390 people in Ribeirao Claro and across the region, Carolina has significant regional operating, sales and distribution infrastructure.
Brazil is a strategic market for General Mills, according to the company, and yogurt is a growing category. General Mills' global dairy capabilities are expected to complement and build upon Carolina's strong reputation.
As one of the biggest economies in the world, Brazil is an attractive consumer market. A majority of its 200 million people now belong to the middle class and domestic consumption is an important economic driver. Yogurt is also an attractive category within the Brazilian market. Not only is the yogurt category growing strongly, but there is ample room for additional growth, with Brazilian yogurt consumption per capita still well below other key markets in Latin America.
General Mills continues to invest in Brazil, an important market for General Mills International. The addition of Yoki Alimentos in 2012 more than doubled General Mills' annual sales in Latin America. Its 2011 acquisition of Yoplait International also greatly expanded General Mills' yogurt portfolio, a business it has continued to expand with the recent entry of Yoplait into China.
Carolina is a family-owned Brazilian company established in 1969. A regional dairy products producer, Carolina is especially known for its regional yogurt brands, Carolina, VeryGurt and Gluck.
Operating primarily in southern and southeastern Brazil, Carolina sources high-quality milk from farmers in the dairy-rich region of Parana, and markets more than 20 different dairy product lines. Employing more than 390 people in Ribeirao Claro and across the region, Carolina has significant regional operating, sales and distribution infrastructure.
Brazil is a strategic market for General Mills, according to the company, and yogurt is a growing category. General Mills' global dairy capabilities are expected to complement and build upon Carolina's strong reputation.
As one of the biggest economies in the world, Brazil is an attractive consumer market. A majority of its 200 million people now belong to the middle class and domestic consumption is an important economic driver. Yogurt is also an attractive category within the Brazilian market. Not only is the yogurt category growing strongly, but there is ample room for additional growth, with Brazilian yogurt consumption per capita still well below other key markets in Latin America.
General Mills continues to invest in Brazil, an important market for General Mills International. The addition of Yoki Alimentos in 2012 more than doubled General Mills' annual sales in Latin America. Its 2011 acquisition of Yoplait International also greatly expanded General Mills' yogurt portfolio, a business it has continued to expand with the recent entry of Yoplait into China.