Kiri withdrew a previous deal to sell Lion to China’s Mengniu Dairy Co. because it felt strained relations between Austalia and China might skupper the deal.
Last year Saputo bought Lion’s cheese business.
Since first buying Murray Colbourne co-operative, Saputo has grown to become one of Austalia’s largest dairy businesses.
It is Canada’s largest dairy, has extensive holdings in the United States, especially cheese companies, and in Argentina.