ACCC clears path for Lactalis bid on Fonterra assets Dairy giant sale won’t hurt competition, says regulator10 July 2025 10 July 2025 2 minute read 2 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media OceaniaAustralia's competition watchdog said on Thursday it would not oppose any potential bid from French dairy giant Lactalis to buy New Zealand-based Fonterra Co-Operative Group's consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses, reported Reuters. New Zealand-based Fonterra announced in November its plan to either sell the units or list them through an initial public offering. Both Lactalis and Fonterra are major players in Victoria and Tasmania, buying large quantities of raw milk and producing a wide range of dairy products for domestic consumption. "We confirm that we are among the interested parties alongside other potential candidates," Lactalis said in an emailed response to Reuters while acknowledging ACCC's announcement. Fonterra, New Zealand's largest dairy company, owns consumer brands such as Western Star, Mainland, and Perfect Italiano.