Danone and Argentina’s Arcor have finalised a dairy joint venture in Argentina, combining Danone’s regional operations with local supplier Mastellone Hermanos under a jointly controlled structure, DairyReporter reports. The transaction, first announced in March 2026, gives the partners equal ownership; the pair previously held a combined 49% of Mastellone Hermanos — one of the country’s best-known dairy producers — and will now acquire the rest. Their jointly owned logistics subsidiary, Logística La Serenísima, will also be fully integrated.
The Danone agreement
Danone said the deal builds on more than two decades of collaboration with Arcor and aims to create a more integrated dairy platform driving innovation and strengthening its commercial presence in Argentina.
When the deal was first announced, Arcor president Alfredo Pagani said the alliance would «accelerate growth through an integrated strategy focused on the development of high value-added products».
Combining Danone’s global dairy expertise with Arcor’s local market knowledge and distribution would support growth across the category, the companies said. The deal builds on a long-standing relationship that already includes Bagley Latin America, a joint venture in biscuits, cereals and alfajores.
Danone’s LATAM strategy
Argentina is one of Danone’s four core Latin American markets, alongside Mexico, Brazil and Uruguay, where the group leads in infant formula and has a strong presence in dairy, plant-based kids’ products and medical nutrition.
The new venture is expected to strengthen Danone regionally, particularly as major competitor Saputo has now sold a majority stake in its Argentina business, while SanCor — once a top producer and exporter — is in long-term financial difficulty that has sharply cut its processing capacity.
Source: DairyReporter
