Grupo Lala has plans to build a new dairy plant in Guatemala with an investment of nearly $30m.

Constructed  on an area of 12,000m2, the new facility produce pasteurised milk, ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, and ice cream products.

It will have a monthly production capacity of 5,000t and is expected to create nearly 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities once it begins commercial operations by Q1 of 2018.

Grupo Lala was quoted by Foodbev.com as stating: “The new factory is part of the company’s strategy to consolidate the group’s presence in the Central American region. The facilities will be located in the Michatoya Industrial Park [near Amatitlán], and will start operations during the first quarter of 2018.”

"The new factory is part of the company’s strategy to consolidate the group’s presence in the Central American region."

The firm decided to invest in the region due to significant demand for its products.

Once the plant becomes operational, Grupo Lala intends to work with nearly 1,500 local dairy farmers to source milk for its products.

In May, the Mexican dairy company announced its plans to invest almost $14m to expand its facility in Costa Rica. This move is expected to triple the milk production capacity of the plant.