Betânia Integral milk

Betânia is a prominent Brazilian dairy brand with a legacy rooted in the Northeast region of the country. Founded in 1971 by Luiz Girão in Fortaleza, Ceará, the company evolved into a regional leader, deep-rooted in local community partnerships with thousands of small-scale milk producers across several Brazilian states.

In October 2021, Betânia Lácteos announced a major strategic merger with Embaré Indústrias Alimentícias, a storied Brazilian dairy and confectionery firm known for its 'Camponesa' and 'Embaré' brands. This union resulted in the formation of Alvoar Lácteos in 2022, which quickly established itself as one of the top five largest dairy companies in Brazil.

Today, the brand remains under the umbrella of Alvoar Lácteos. The company's ownership is a joint venture between the founding families of both original businesses (the Girão and Antunes/Schmidt families), the U.S.-based private equity firm Arlon Group (an investment arm of Continental Grain Company), and recent minority backing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank. While the brand is quintessentially Brazilian in its heritage and operations, its corporate ownership structure includes both local and international strategic investors.