The entrance of Lactalis, Meggle, Tnuva and investment funds in the dairy industry, as well as massive investments operated by major players already present on the market, such as Danone, Friesland and Albalact, may drive the market beyond the 3bn-euro ma

"The real value of the dairy market in the following years is forecast at around 3-4bn euros, with estimates based on the population's consumption requirements," states Valeriu Steriu, chairman of the Romanian Milk Industry Employers' Association (APRIL).

According to Steriu, last year the dairy market reached 900m euros, which also includes a volume of over 1.7 billion litres of milk, directly offered onto the market from farmers to consumers.

This quantity could bring the level of consumption in Romania in line with EU levels.

Industry players this year expect a 25% sales increase in the context where over the past two years specialties, as well as milk-based desserts, have boasted the highest growth rates in the food industry.

Moreover, the solid growth rate has also attracted the attention of global dairy players and investment funds, with LaDorna group's takeover by French giant Lactalis being the latest deal.

This is the biggest domestic dairy deal so far, as Friesland paid 17m euros to gain control over Napolact, Somesana Satu Mare and Industrializarea Laptelui Mures when it entered the market. At present, the three companies generate an annual turnover worth around 130m euros. Another important deal recently on the dairy market was the acquisition of Covalact of Sfantu Gheorghe by US investment fund Sigma Bleyzer. At present, the fund owns 95% in the company but plans to acquire several medium-sized dairy players and merge them in order to set up a group that is able to compete with the domestic subsidiaries of multinationals.

Tnuva Israeli group entered