Danone has signed a non-binding agreement to acquire a 49.9% stake in Yashili New Zealand Dairy Company, after its Danone Asia Pacific Holdings (DAPH) subsidiary agreed a memorandum of understanding with Yashili International. Yashili New Zealand produces a range of dairy products such as infant formulas for consumers in China and New Zealand, and the company announced its intention to sell a non-controlling interest in certain factory assets on 23 May. The exact terms of the proposed purchase have not been disclosed, and a statement from Yashili said: “The consideration, the payment method and the payment schedule shall be determined after arm’s length negotiations and mutual agreement between the parties.” The deal is subject to approval from the New Zealand Overseas Investment Office, approval from independent shareholders and “satisfaction of other specific conditions as agreed by DAPH and Yashili (HK) following completion of DAPH’s due diligence exercise.” DAPH currently owns a 25% stake in Yashili International, and this deal further strengthens its position in the infant formula market. Yashili has a strong presence in New Zealand, and inaugurated an infant formula factory in Pokeno in 2015, which is capable of producing 50,000 tonnes of infant formula annually.
Danone Asia Pacific Holdings (DAPH), a subsidiary of French food giant Danone, has signed a non-binding agreement to increase its stake in Yashili New Zealand Dairy Company from 25% to 49.9%. Yashili's range of products includes infant formula, which is sold domestically and exported to China, and the deal is expected to increase DAPH's presence in the market. Yashili opened an infant formula factory in Pokeno in 2015 that produces 50,000 metric tonnes annually.