KINGSTON, Jamaica — GraceKennedy has made a decisive play to solidify its dominance in the regional dairy industry by acquiring full ownership of Dairy Industries (Jamaica) Limited (DJIL), the home of the iconic Tastee Cheese brand.
The move brings to a close a nearly 30-year joint venture with New Zealand-based Fonterra Co-operative Group. With the buyout, GraceKennedy now holds 100% of the company responsible for one of Jamaica’s most beloved food staples, known for its distinctive canned cheese that remains a cultural fixture, particularly during the Easter season.
Although the financial specifics of the transaction remain confidential, the deal reflects GraceKennedy’s continued push to expand its footprint in high-performing sectors. DJIL has long stood out in the Caribbean for its unique production of shelf-stable canned cheese, and this acquisition signals GraceKennedy’s commitment to scaling the brand’s reach and innovation pipeline.
Group CEO Frank James emphasized the significance of the acquisition as a growth lever. “This business has consistently delivered results. We see this as the right time to consolidate and unlock greater efficiencies while setting the stage for product expansion,” he stated.
Andrea Coy, CEO of GraceKennedy Foods, noted that while Fonterra will no longer be a shareholder, strategic ties remain intact. “This isn’t a goodbye; it’s a pivot. Fonterra has been a strong ally and we’ll continue to collaborate where there are shared commercial interests,” she affirmed.
Dairy Industries (Jamaica) Limited, founded in the 1960s, began cheese production in 1968. Over the decades, it has expanded into vacuum-packed cheese blocks, spreads, yogurt, and milk powder. Its legacy product — Tastee Cheese in a can — has earned an enduring place on Jamaican tables, symbolizing both nostalgia and national pride.
The transaction is still subject to final regulatory and procedural clearances, but GraceKennedy is already signaling readiness to absorb DJIL fully into its operational ecosystem.
Industry observers view the acquisition as a strategic consolidation play, allowing GraceKennedy to take full reins over supply chain decisions, brand direction, and international expansion. With global demand for long-shelf-life dairy increasing and Jamaican diaspora markets hungry for familiar products, Tastee Cheese may now be positioned for a new wave of global distribution.
As GraceKennedy sharpens its focus on food manufacturing and exports, this acquisition could serve as a blueprint for further consolidation across other verticals in its portfolio.
