Weekend Herald

Fonterra to sell Chilean firm in $1.055b deal

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Fonterra is to sell its Chilean business Soprole to Gloria Foods in a deal worth 591.07 Chilean Pesos or around $1.055b.

Fonterra’s predecesso­r, the Dairy Board, bought a controllin­g stake in Soprole in 1986. In 2008, Fonterra took its holding to just under 100 per cent.

It began a sales process in April as part of its strategy to 2030.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said a key pillar of the strategy was to focus on New Zealand milk.

“Soprole is a very good business but does not rely on New Zealand milk or expertise. We are now at the end of the divestment process and have agreed to sell Soprole to Gloria Foods — JORB S.A. [Gloria Foods].”

Gloria Foods is described as a consumer dairy market leader in Peru with operations across South America.

The sale is subject to a number of conditions including getting regulatory approvals including from the competitio­n authority in Chile. It must also hold a public tender offer for the outstandin­g shares in Soprole not already owned by Fonterra. It’s expected to take six months to fulfil the conditions.

Fonterra said in a statement it remained committed to targeting a significan­t capital return to our shareholde­rs and unitholder­s.

“The Fonterra Board intends to make a final decision on the amount and timing of any capital return once the sale agreement is unconditio­nal, cash proceeds are received in New Zealand and having regard to other relevant factors including Fonterra’s debt and earnings outlook at such time.”

Fonterra’s previously announced FY23 earnings guidance would continue to reflect only the underlying performanc­e of Soprole during the pre-completion period.

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