Danone and Yakult have launched the well-known Japanese probiotic drink in India
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Yakult Danone India, the joint venture between the two companies, are producing the drink in a US$30m facility in the state of Haryana.
“Production commenced on 18 December. The capacity is one million bottles a day [and] we hope to sell 100,000 bottles a day in the first year,” Shefali Sapra, the venture’s general manager, corporate communications, told just-food. “We hope to break even in 2011.”
The companies have earmarked a further $25m of investment in the facility within the next two years.
The venture will follow the Yakult tradition of using a team of “Yakult Ladies” to sell the probiotic. The business plans to build a team of 500 within two years to promote the drink nationwide.
Danone got the go-ahead for the probiotic launch after receiving approval from another local partner, the Wadia Group.
Danone is embroiled in a long-running spat with the Wadias over their local venture Britannia Industries, India’s largest biscuit maker.
Wadia has accused Danone of violating the trademark agreements drawn up as part of their venture but has allowed the French food giant to enter India’s probiotic market.
