Clover targets 'regional and niche players'

Clover is unlikely to try to buy a large competitor such as Parmalat, Dairy Belle or Woodlands, but would look to expand where it does not have a strong presence, Vorster said.

"I don't know that from a dominance point of view, it would be feasible" to buy any of the three large players, he said. "But we certainly see regional and niche players." He also said, contrary to comments last week, that Clover would not look to buy wine and spirits maker KWV, the subject of a takeover bid by Pioneer Foods Group.