Kirin looks for non-Chinese buyers for Australian dairy unit

Deal with Mengniu scrapped after Canberra says it would be 'contrary to national interest'

Lion Dairy's Pura milk: Kirin decided to sell the Australian unit after a review of underperforming operations. (Photo courtesy of Lion Dairy & Drinks)

JADA NAGUMO, TAKERU GOTO and KENJI KAWASE, Nikkei staff writers

August 25, 2020 09:50 JST

Updated on August 26, 2020 00:39 JST

TOKYO/HONG KONG -- Japanese beverage group Kirin Holdings has dropped plans to sell an Australian unit to China Mengniu Dairy and will seek another buyer, in a setback that appears caused in part by friction between Australia and China.