🧀 Lactalis USA to Invest $75 Million in New York Dairy Plants to Meet High-Protein Demand

Buffalo, New York | July 10, 2025 — In a strategic move to strengthen its U.S. operations, Lactalis USA has announced a $75 million investment to expand and modernize two of its key dairy processing plants in Buffalo and Walton, New York. The initiative will help meet surging demand for high-protein dairy products while increasing operational efficiency and innovation capacity.

The expansion is set to create over 50 new jobs and includes installation of state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure upgrades.

“These facilities are key to our growing business in the United States,” said Esteve Torrens, CEO of Lactalis USA. “This investment ensures we can continue to meet consumer demand while advancing efficiency and product quality.”

🏭 What’s Being Upgraded?

• The Buffalo facility, which processes ricotta, mozzarella, and provolone under the Galbani brand, along with whey powder, will see significant technology upgrades.
• The Walton plant, responsible for producing Breakstone’s sour cream, is critical to Lactalis’ plans to scale its cottage cheese business.

Together, the two plants handle more than 800 million pounds of raw milk annually, reinforcing Lactalis’ role as a major processor in the region.

💼 A Long-Term Commitment

This expansion is part of a broader commitment to New York State, where Lactalis has pledged to invest $123 million in its Buffalo operations from 2020 through 2027, according to state officials.

The company’s growing U.S. footprint includes popular brands like Président cheese, Parmalat shelf-stable milk, and newer acquisitions like Stonyfield, Siggi’s, Kraft Heinz’s natural cheese lines, and General Mills’ yogurt business.

🌎 Global Dairy Powerhouse, Local Impact

Headquartered in France, Lactalis Group is one of the world’s largest dairy companies. Its aggressive investment strategy in the U.S. reflects not only growing demand for protein-rich and clean-label dairy products, but also the importance of reliable milk procurement and processing infrastructure.

In 2024, Lactalis also announced a $55 million investment in its Tulare, California plant to increase output of Président Feta cheese, underscoring its ambitions across multiple dairy categories.

🧭 What This Means for India and Global Dairy Watchers

While India’s dairy sector remains mostly cooperative-led and inward-focused, Lactalis’ capital-heavy expansion in the U.S. is a reminder of how private investment, brand consolidation, and technological modernization are reshaping the global dairy landscape.

With India’s value-added dairy market growing, this move could inspire Indian private dairy firms to explore similar large-scale investments in cheese, sour cream, and functional dairy categories.