September 26, 2012

Alpina Foods, South American yogurt producer, has launched its first in the US, an US$18 million plant in Batavia, New York.

The 40,000 square feet plant, which has been built over an area of 10 acres in Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, will produce a variety of yogurt products for the US and Canadian markets.

Alpina Foods CEO Julian Jaramillo said the company chose Batavia due to factors such as abundant milk supply, proximity to large markets and the workforce experienced in food production.

The plant currently employs 50 people, but the company plans to increase the workforce in the coming months. The plant also has a scope for further capacity expansion in the future.

Alpina's brands include Restart Yogurt and Avena, an oat-based smoothie. Based in Columbia, the company has global sales of US$800 million and sells dairy products to 20 countries.