Valio to sell its Russian operations
Valio has completed negotiations on the divestment of its Russian operations. Valio will sell the operations to Velkom Group. The transaction will take place immediately.
With the transaction, Valio’s personnel in Russia will transfer to Velkom Group. The parties have decided not to disclose the value of the transaction.
With the completed transaction, Valio’s operations in Russia have now ended.
The transaction includes Valio’s Russian operations and the processed cheese factory in Ershovo. The Viola® brand processed cheese sold and produced in Russia is also part of the transaction, i.e. the new owner has the option to continue producing and selling Viola® processed cheeses in Russia.
The Valio brand will still be seen on store shelves in Russia until the packaging materials have been depleted and product expiration dates have been reached. The buyer must stop using the brands sold in Russia that are not included in the transaction by the end of the year within the framework of the transition period.
Product brand rights to the Valio Viola® fresh cheeses sold in Finland and produced by Valio in Finland are not included in the transaction.
In 2020, Valio’s net sales in Russia were 87 million euros and accounted for approximately 5 percent of Valio’s global net sales of about 1.8 billion euros. Valio decided on 7 March 2022 to withdraw from operations in Russia. With this transaction, Valio is immediately withdrawing from all operations in Russia.
Valio exports products to some 60 countries around the world. The total value of Valio’s international operations and exports is about 750 million euros annually, i.e. about 40% of Valio’s total net sales.
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine made it impossible to continue our operations in Russia, both ethically and from a business perspective. Exiting from Russia has proved difficult in this situation because of the constantly changing legislation and the reciprocal sanctions. We have sought out solutions and a suitable buyer throughout spring. With the transaction, we will complete this process and our operations in Russia will end,” says Valio CEO Annikka Hurme.
Of the interested buyers, the Russian food producer Velkom Group was selected as the most suitable.
Further information:
Valio Mediadesk mediadesk@valio.fi
Valio - The world’s most innovative dairy and food company
Valio’s mission is to create wellbeing and taste sensations in a responsible way. We make tasty products from milk and many other ingredients; we bring delightful tastes, variety and joy to the food table. We also carry out important roles in society: ensuring food security, enhancing public health and improving animal welfare are some examples of our impacts. In line with our mission, we are making life better.
4,000 Finnish dairy farmers own Valio through cooperatives. Valio has 4,000 professionals at work from different sectors and we listen to consumers with our more than 100 years of experience.Nobel Laureate A.I. Virtanen’s legacy continues to live on with us. When he headed Valio’s laboratories, the concept of improving the wellbeing of people took root as our guiding principle. We turn science into products that make life better. Consumers in more than 60 countries enjoy Valio products, and we have 350 patents for our innovations around the world. We are Finland’s biggest food exporter and a trailblazer for the whole food industry. Valio’s sales in 2020 were EUR 1,808 million.
Valio – Together we make life better.
