Bahrain Mondelēz International has announced that it has completed the sale of its Kraft-branded cheese business in Middle East and Africa (MEA) to Arla Foods of Denmark. The other Kraft-branded Cheese products in the MEA markets, as well as a Cheese manufacturing site in Bahrain, are part of this agreement.
The transaction enables Mondelēz International to focus on faster-growing snacks categories, including chocolate, biscuits, powdered beverages and gum, and candy offerings.
“I am confident that this successful business will further develop under Arla Foods’ ownership and we wish them every success,” said Maurizio Brusadelli, EVP and president, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) for Mondelēz International. “We will continue to be a leading player in the MEA snacking business. Our recently inaugurated state-of-the-art biscuits factory in Bahrain will continue to serve local and export markets, and will also now start producing Tang powdered beverages.”
The cream cheese brand Philadelphia and Jocca Cottage Cheese are not included in the deal and remain under the ownership of Mondelēz International. There are no changes to the cheese and grocery business of Mondelēz International in other markets around the world as a result of this announcement. With 2018 net revenues of approximately $26 billion, MDLZ is one of the leaders in snacking with iconic brands.