Kirin is expanding its presence in Australia by acquiring Dairy Farmers for A$884m (US$774m), the second significant purchase by the Japanese brewer in that market in the past two years.

Japan’s second largest brewer said it would acquire Dairy Famers – the owner of Australia’s number two milk brand and number two cheese and yogurt brands, which is run by a co-operative owned by some 2,000 farmers mainly in New South Wales and Queensland – through its National Foods subsidiary.