Clover is South Africa's largest dairy company and one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of food products in Southern Africa.

With a turnover in excess of R3.6 billion and a staff complement of more than 5800, Clover processes some 30% of South Africa's milk in 17 factories and distributes its range of well-known dairy and related products through 33 distribution depots.

Although Clover is a relatively new name in South Africa's corporate world, the history of the Clover Group dates back to 1899 with the establishment of a butter factory, The Natal Creamery Limited. In 1901 The Natal Creamery joined forces with Joseph Baynes at Mooi River under the name The Model Dairy (Pty) Limited and distributed fresh milk - a partnership that lasted until 1901. In 1931 these two organisations amalgamated and the name was changed to National Co-operative Dairies Limited ("NCD") in 1943.

The Clover brand name furthermore dates back to 1917, when it was first registered and it evolved into one of South Africa’s most well-known food brands. Clover S.A. (Pty) Limited was established as an operational company by NCD in 1994 and thereafter the holding company, Clover Holdings (Pty) Limited.

The Clover distribution infrastructure includes Clover Logistics, a refrigerated food distribution company. It also has substantial interests in two other companies: Danone-Clover (Pty) Ltd, a marketer of fresh cultured products such as yoghurts, as well as Clover Beverages, a marketer of various non-alcoholic liquid products.

Clover's motto - "Outstanding quality, innovation and taste" - reflects the fact that it has technologically advanced, innovatively developed, consumer-orientated products.

Although the primary objective of the Export Division is to market value-added branded consumer products, the Division also trades in such commodities as bulk-packed milk powder and butter, which are used mainly in the ingredients markets.

Due to Clover's geographical position, our most important markets are Africa and the nearby Indian Ocean countries. The export Division's revenues exclude exports to countries in the South African Customs Union (SACU), since these countries are serviced by the local divisions of Clover.

The most important markets for the Export Division are Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola and Zambia, where long-life products, butter and flavoured milk are particularly popular. Clover's brand names are well known and trusted by consumers in these countries. Recent developments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bodes well for our export drive into Africa.