KINGSTON, Jamaica — GraceKennedy has officially moved to acquire full ownership of Dairy Industries (Jamaica) Limited, the long-standing producer of the beloved Tastee Cheese, marking the end of a nearly 30-year joint venture with global dairy powerhouse Fonterra.
The transaction—details of which remain confidential—hands GraceKennedy 100% control of the local dairy operation, a move that signals the company’s deeper push into the regional dairy sector. The business relationship, originally formed in the late 1980s and formalized in the mid-1990s, has seen DJIL become a cornerstone in Jamaican households, particularly around festive seasons.
With this acquisition, GraceKennedy is positioning itself to consolidate its hold on the processed cheese segment, which DJIL dominates through its canned Tastee Cheese—a product deeply woven into Jamaican culinary culture. Beyond Tastee Cheese, DJIL also manufactures vacuum-packed cheeses, cheese spreads, yogurt, and powdered milk for local and regional consumption.
GraceKennedy Group CEO Frank James described the move as a strategic leap that underscores the consistent performance and strong consumer affinity surrounding DJIL’s brand portfolio. “We’re building on a legacy that has proven resilient and profitable,” James noted. “This sets the stage for the next phase of growth.”
Andrea Coy, CEO of GraceKennedy Foods, emphasized that while GraceKennedy now assumes full control, the commercial ties with Fonterra won’t be entirely severed. The two entities plan to maintain a collaborative relationship in select areas of mutual business interest.
Founded in 1964 and beginning cheese production in 1968, DJIL remains the only company in the Caribbean manufacturing processed canned cheese—an achievement that sets it apart both regionally and internationally.
The deal is subject to standard regulatory and procedural closing requirements before finalization.
