Lactalis is a dairy group that traces its start to 1933 in Laval, Mayenne, with André Besnier’s first camembert production. The business was renamed the Lactalis Group in 1999. It describes itself as a family business and is presided over by Emmanuel Besnier, grandson of the founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Its brands include Président, Galbani and Parmalat, and in the United States it sells Kraft natural and shredded cheese, including Cracker Barrel, Breakstone’s, Knudsen and Hoffman’s.
Lactalis reports revenue of €31.2 billion for 2025, with 85,500 employees and 266 production sites in 49 countries. It ranks 13th in Food Engineering’s 2026 Top 100 Food and Beverage Companies, which records food sales of $36,607 million (€31,200 million) for the year to December 2025. In India, the group’s history records the acquisition of Thirumala Milk Products.