Aug 2, 2026 – 4.22pmParis | The boss of the world’s biggest dairy company says its acquisition of Fonterra’s Mainland brands has transformed Australia into one of its “big five” regional beachheads as it pushes into South-East Asia.In his first interview with an English-language media outlet, Emmanuel Besnier, chief executive and controlling shareholder of Lactalis, offered a rare insight into the strategy behind a series of acquisitions in Australia and New Zealand.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles