Dive Brief:
- Lactalis USA is investing $55 million in its Tulare, California facility, which will significantly increase the volume of Président Feta cheese produced in the U.S. The company plans to build a 38,000-square-foot manufacturing line that will be operational in 2027. Président first introduced feta to the U.S. in 1996.
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The project, which is expected to create 20 full-time positions in Tulare, comes as feta cheese grows in popularity with American consumers. The investment creates Lactalis’ largest feta production line in America. It also makes feta at a facility in Belmont, Wisconsin.
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For years, Lactalis North America, a division of the French dairy company, has sold its popular shelf-stable milk brand Parmalat and Président cheese in the U.S. But it has rapidly expanded its presence with the purchase of Stonyfield, Siggi’s, natural cheese brands from Kraft Heinz and an agreement with General Mills to buy its U.S. yogurt business.
Dive Insight:
Even as Lactalis increases its portfolio in the U.S. through acquisitions, it hasn’t lost sight of key brands like Président. “This expansion helps us meet the growing demand for Président Feta cheese in the United States, which is good news for our retail customers and consumers who continue to choose Président Feta for cooking at home and creating new occasions to enjoy feta,” Esteve Torrens, Lactalis USA’s CEO.
With consumers cooking more at home — a carryover from COVID-19 and more recently inflation that has caused people to make fewer trips to restaurants — cheeses such as feta have been a major beneficiary. Feta also is loaded with calcium, protein and probiotics that are in demand with today’s shoppers.
North America is the second-largest consumer of feta, with sales expected to reach $4.3 billion in 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%, according to Straits Research. Lactalis is positioning itself to capture this growth with the addition of its new production line, while further strengthening the reach of its popular Président brand with consumers.