Groupe DANONE Exits Joint Venture with Mengniu in China

19/12/07 Groupe DANONE signed a series of joint venture contracts with Mengniu Dairy Group in December 2006. Some cooperation as outlined in these contracts has currently begun.

However, since some conditions for this cooperation are not sufficiently advanced, and since the prerequisites for further investments have not been met within the agreed timeframe, both parties agreed the joint venture will automatically be terminated on December 18th, 2007.

Both parties have also agreed that the termination of the joint venture will not affect future cooperation opportunities such as the co-packing and distribution of yogurt under the BIO brand.

As leaders in China and the global yogurt market respectively, Mengniu Dairy Group and DANONE will actively explore future cooperation opportunities in the yogurt industry.