Hart Dairy, the largest single-source producer of 100% free-range, grass-fed milk in North America, based in Georgia, announced a joint venture Oct. 22 with veteran Australian distribution company Kollaras & Co. to start distributing its premium dairy products from the U.S., Australia and New Zealand throughout the Asian market.

The new joint venture company, Dairy Fresh New Zealand Ltd., marries Kollaras’s extensive experience in these markets with Hart Dairy’s significant understanding of the dairy category to offer their line of dairy products to the Asian region, the announcement noted.

“Kollaras & Co is a world-class organization, and partnering with them to offer our premium dairy products in the Asian market was an easy decision for us,” Hart Dairy chief executive officer Tim Connell said. “Working with the Kollaras & Co. team is a natural step for us to expand our 'Grass 365' dairy product offerings into Asia, and the recent high demand for our products gives us confidence in the long-term sustainable growth of Dairy Fresh New Zealand.”

“With our distribution network of more than 20,000 outlets in seven continents, we are regularly asked if we can supply dairy products to our buyers and wholesalers,” Kollaras & Co. director Michael Kollaras said. “Hart Dairy is an excellent fit for us to fulfill this need, and we are excited to work with CEO Tim Connell and the Hart Dairy team on this joint venture. We are also encouraged by the significant opportunities offered in the Asian region as we begin to fulfill substantial orders through Dairy Fresh New Zealand.”

Hart Dairy's premium “Grass 365” dairy products include fresh milk, yogurt, cheese and butter varieties. Located near Augusta, Ga., Hart Dairy sits on more than 4,000 acres of farmland and produces 100% free-range, grass-fed milk from its more than 3,500 cows.