COLUMBUS – Last week was an exciting one for New York’s number one dairy manufacturer. On Tuesday, Chobani Greek-style yogurt maker Agro Farma was granted $18 million in New Market Tax Credits to enable them to expand their existing production facility in the Town of Columbus. Two days later, they officially went global with the acquisition of Beads Foods Pty Ltd., an Australian natural dairy products manufacturer.

“This acquisition marks a major milestone for Agro Farma as we expand our global reach into key international markets. And we couldn’t have picked a better partner to start with,” Agro Farma’s founder, Hamdi Ulukaya, said in a press statement issued Thursday.

“Not only are Bead Foods’ products world class, but so are their people. We look forward to learning from them, sharing our knowledge and growing together.”

Founded in 2001, Bead Foods produces an innovative line of yogurts and specialty cream products under the Gippsland Dairy brand, including the popular Twist label. The company’s production facility in Dandenong, Victoria serves markets throughout Australia and in South East Asia.

“Our goal is to grow the yogurt category in Australia,” Ulukaya said. “We’ve fallen in love with the country’s beauty and residents, who’ve treated us with great hospitality, and we’re excited to bring them more great options to choose from.”