Amersfoort, The Netherlands, June 30 - The Belgian dairy cooperative Inza cvba (a subsidiary of Milcobel cvba) and the Dutch dairy company Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. have reached an agreement in principle on Inza's acquisition of the Yogho! Yogho! and Choco! Choco! brands from FrieslandCampina.
The proposed purchase covers the Yogho! Yogho! and Choco! Choco! brands in the European Union, including its product recipes and associated commercial operations. The acquisition will not effect employment of staff.
Yogho! Yogho! is a range of long-life yoghurt drinks and Choco! Choco! is a brand of long-life chocolate flavoured dairy drinks. The products are currently manufactured in FrieslandCampina’s Belgian production sites in Aalter and Sleidinge.
Inza produces and commercialises long-life dairy, dairy drinks and functional foods. Both brands fit in the strategy and the Inza product portfolio very well. FrieslandCampina will continue to manufacture the products for Inza during a transition period.
FrieslandCampina will receive a licence from Inza for usage of the trademarks in the European Union (but outside the Benelux). Outside the European Union, FrieslandCampina will continue to own the brands.
The actual transfer of the brands is subject to approval from the European Commission. The acquisition conditions will not be disclosed. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2009.
The European Commission approved the merger between Friesland Foods and Campina on 17 December 2008, subject to the sale of the fresh dairy activities in Nijkerk, the cheese production plant in Bleskensgraaf and the Yogho! Yogho! and Choco! Choco! brands to prevent FrieslandCampina dominating the Dutch / Belgian market.