The a2 Milk Company is set to bring its liquid milk products to the Canadian market later this year through a licensing agreement with Agrifoods.
Agrifoods, the dairy co-operative behind brands such as Organic Meadow, Meadowfresh and Earth’s Own, will be responsible for the production, distribution, sale and marketing of a2 branded milk in Canada and will help the New Zealand dairy company to source milk locally from Canadian dairy farmers.
Interim CEO of The a2 Milk Company, Geoffrey Babidge, said the partnership will help build on their success in the US.
“This arrangement gives us the ability to leverage the brand development work we have already undertaken in North America and expand into the Canadian market with a well-respected partner,” he said.
The company’s US chief executive Blake Waltrip said he is confident that Agrifoods’ experience and infrastructure will be of great benefit to the company.
“Signing on with Agrifoods will allow a2 Milk brand products produced by Canadian dairy farmers to rapidly gain exposure in Canada,” he said.
Agrifoods will establish distribution across the country and and has primary responsibility for funding this venture.
“This is an excellent partnership and we are excited to be able to offer a2 Milk products to Canadian consumers. The a2 Milk Company is an innovator in the dairy industry and we are delighted to be partnering with them,” Agrifoods Cooperative CEO Maheb Nathoo said.
The partnership will also help grow Agrifoods’ “overall market leading positions in specialty milks by offering consumers more choices for authentic, farmer owned, Canadian dairy products”, according to Tim Hofstra chair of Agrifoods.
The a2 Milk company is currently undertaking a search for its next CEO to replace Jayne Hrdlicka, who stepped down in December due to the role’s increasing travel requirements.
