Fonterra Acquires SKI Yoghurt Licence from National Foods

As part of Fonterra’s agreement with Nestlé, the SKI brand, which was at the time under licence to Dairy Farmers, would transition to Fonterra at the end of the existing licence period in December 2011.

19/01/09 Fonterra has announced the completion of the deal which sees Fonterra acquire from National Foods the licence to manufacture, market and sell Nestlé’s SKI yoghurt brand in Australia, as well as its associated intellectual property.

This follows Fonterra’s acquisition in September 2008 of Nestlé’s yoghurt and dairy dessert business. As part of Fonterra’s agreement with Nestlé, the SKI brand, which was at the time under licence to Dairy Farmers, would transition to Fonterra at the end of the existing licence period in December 2011.

Today’s acquisition of the SKI yoghurt brand is effective immediately and transfers the SKI licence three years earlier than expected, following the sale of Dairy Farmers, to National Foods in November 2008.

SKI joins Fonterra’s existing portfolio of yoghurts and dairy desserts including NESTLE DIET, MILO MOUSSE, BLISSFULL and MUNCH BUNCH – positioning Fonterra as one of the national leaders in this fast growing category. John Doumani, Managing Director Fonterra Australia and New Zealand said today’s announcement is a big step towards Fonterra achieving its strategic goal to fill this gap in its dairy portfolio in Australia.

“The yoghurt and dairy desserts category is one of the fastest growing in the dairy segment and the acquisition of the SKI yoghurt licence gives us a strong position in this category,” says Mr Doumani.

“This complements our existing leadership position in cheese and spreads through our MAINLAND, BEGA and PERFECT ITALIANO cheese, and WESTERN STAR butter brands, all of which are iconic household names in Australia,” said Mr Doumani.