Battle for milk
OPINION: Fonterra may be on the verge of selling its consumer business in New Zealand, but the co-operative is not keen on giving any ground to its competitors in the country.
The co-operative board will make a final decision on the amount and timing of any capital return once the sale agreement of its Chilean business Soprole is unconditional and cash proceeds are received in New Zealand.
The board will also consider “other relevant factors” including Fonterra’s debt and earnings outlook at such time.
Fonterra announced in November that it was offloading Soprole to Gloria Foods, a transaction that will result in aggregate consideration (sale price and future payments) of over $1 billion.
The sale is subject a number of regulatory approvals.
Today Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell confirmed approval from the Chilean competition authority, Fiscalía Nacional Económica (FNE), has now been received.
“Completion of the sale remains subject to satisfaction of other conditions previously announced, including commencement of an irrevocable public tender offer process in Chile for the outstanding shares in Soprole not already owned by Fonterra.
“Receipt of FNE approval is a significant milestone for the transaction and we remain on track in the sale process. We will update the market on expected timing for completion of the sale as the remaining conditions are progressed,” says Hurrell.
Gloria Foods is a consumer dairy market leader in Peru, with operations in Bolivia, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay. Fonterra and Gloria Foods have a long-standing commercial relationship in South America.
