The Lactalis Group’s 2024 revenue exceeded €30 billion for the first time in its 92-year history, reaching an historic €30.3 billion.
This growth represented a 2.8 per cent increase on the global dairy giant’s 2023 figures and was boosted by an upturn in its volumes and operational efficiency.
As a result, the Lactalis Group became the world’s ninth biggest food company, led by such brands as Président, Galbani, Kraft and Parmalat.
Its operating income rose by 4.3 per cent for 2024, while its net income fell from €428 to €359 million, representing 1.2 per cent of revenue.
The fall in net income reflects an agreement reached with the French tax authorities in late 2024.
The Group reported that its debt continued to be absorbed and now stands at €5.038 billion.
The Group has 266 industrial sites across the globe, employing 85,500 staff – a massive cold chain logistics undertaking that requires it to maintain fleets of custom-built refrigerated trailers.
Lactalis boosted its investments in 2024 to €1 billion and continued its international development with two acquisitions in South Africa and Portugal.
It completed the acquisition of Portugal-based Sequeira & Sequeira, a specialist in producing (hard and soft) cheese marketed under the popular Paiva brand.
This enabled Lactalis to enhance its product offering, while pursuing its strategy of preserving the local character of businesses and brands to develop them and take them to the widest audience.
Although France remains the group’s primary market, its trans-Atlantic focus was consolidated with reinforced positions in the US, Canada and Brazil.
It therefore strengthened its manufacturing capabilities in Brazil, the US and India, while continuing to reduce its environmental footprint.
These investments also financed the modernization of the Group’s industrial facilities, such as in Larceveau (France), and facilitated the launch of new production and packaging lines in Certosa (Italy), Tulare (US) and Bendigo (Australia).
By continuing to invest in its creameries and dairies, Lactalis maintains its commitment to preserving artisanal traditions in 50 countries.
2024 also saw the group’s organic growth continue with over 650 innovations created at its bases around the world.
The Group also continued to invest heavily in its ecological transition, with nearly €200 million euros for energy and environmental projects, including improving water recycling processes in Shrirampur, India and Uberlandia, Brazil, installing solar panels in several Spanish dairies and the expansion of biomass boilers in France.
Its recurring sustainability investments have cut the Group’s carbon footprint by 13.7 per cent (for scope 1 and 2 emissions) since 2019, with a reduction of 50 per cent targeted by 2033.
“For over nine decades, Lactalis has perfected its expertise in manufacturing dairy products year after year and developed a model that brings it stability and performance,” said Lactalis Chairman, Emmanuel Besnier.
“Our unwavering passion for dairy products puts us at the forefront of their global development.
“Today, we keep growing and creating value through our investments as well as our ability to innovate, propose sustainable practices and support the development of partners around the world.
“Our results reflect that commitment, guided by our purpose in action ‘Nurturing the future’.”
