Gad Dairies

Gad Dairies (מחלבות גד) is an Israeli dairy company headquartered in Bat Yam. It was founded in 1980 in Rishon LeZion by Ezra Gad Cohen, continuing a family dairy tradition that began with his grandfather, Ezra Cohen, in early 20th-century Turkey and later continued in the Levinsky Market in Tel Aviv under the name "Machlevet HaKohanim." The company produces cheeses, yogurts, and dairy desserts, and is known for focusing on premium products rather than basic dairy items like milk and cottage cheese. As of 2018, it held 4.2% of the Israeli dairy market, making it the fourth-largest dairy in Israel, though significantly smaller than its three largest competitors. The company operates a dairy in Bat Yam and has expanded through acquisitions, including the purchase of Machlevet Gadishon from Kibbutz Nachshon in 2014 and a dairy from Beit Yitzhak in 2021. In June 2016, Green Lantern fund acquired 49% of the company at a valuation of approximately 300 million shekels, with Ezra Gad Cohen retaining 51% and continuing as CEO. By late 2018, Discount Capital acquired 20% from Green Lantern. In September 2025, the company raised 280 million shekels at a pre-money valuation of 725 million shekels and became publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. In November 2025, it announced a collaboration with Remilk to market a "new milk" product line based on Remilk's milk protein technology. In March 2026, it received approval from the Competition Commissioner to acquire 51% of Meshek Weiler, a tofu and milk substitute manufacturer. The company holds kosher certification from Rabbi Rubin and targets a diverse Israeli market.

Gad Dairies traces its origins to the early 20th century in a small town in eastern Turkey, where Ezra Cohen and his wife Levana milked their only cow in their yard, heated the milk, and produced cheese. The cheese was wrapped in thin cloth, hung in the yard, and then transferred with a significant amount of salt to wooden barrels, where it developed its unique flavor profile, much like wine. The family tradition continued when the grandfather immigrated to Israel and established a dairy in the Levinsky Market in Tel Aviv called "Machlevet HaKohanim." In 1980, Ezra Gad Cohen founded Gad Dairies in Rishon LeZion as a continuation of this family activity. The company grew to become a significant player in the Israeli dairy market. In 2006, Gad Dairies entered as partners, and in 2014 it acquired Machlevet Gadishon from Kibbutz Nachshon, which had been established in 1996. In June 2016, the Green Lantern fund acquired 49% of the company at a valuation of approximately 300 million shekels, with Ezra Gad Cohen retaining 51% and continuing as CEO; he later became active chairman. By the end of 2018, Discount Capital, the investment arm of Discount Bank, acquired 20% from Green Lantern. Between 2018 and 2023, the company held the distribution franchise for the "Pasta Nonna" brand. In 2021, it acquired a dairy from Beit Yitzhak. In September 2025, the company raised 280 million shekels at a pre-money valuation of 725 million shekels and became a public company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. In November 2025, it was announced that Gad Dairies, in collaboration with Remilk, would begin marketing a "new milk" product line based on Remilk's milk protein production technology. In March 2026, Gad Dairies received approval from the Competition Commissioner to acquire 51% of Meshek Weiler, a tofu and milk substitute manufacturer, after signing an agreement in August 2025.

• 2026

  Received approval to acquire 51% of Meshek Weiler.

• 2025

  Raised 280 million shekels at a pre-money valuation of 725 million shekels and became publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

• 2025

  Announced collaboration with Remilk for a 'new milk' product line.

• 2021

  Acquired a dairy from Beit Yitzhak.

• 2018

  Discount Capital acquired 20% from Green Lantern.

• 2016

  Green Lantern fund acquired 49% of the company at a valuation of approximately 300 million shekels.

• 2014

  Acquired Machlevet Gadishon from Kibbutz Nachshon.

• 2006

  Gad Dairies entered as partners.

• 1980

  Gad Dairies founded in Rishon LeZion by Ezra Gad Cohen.

Premium dairy products, focusing on higher-priced items rather than basic dairy commodities.

• Cheeses

  Premium cheeses, including Labneh and Stracchtella.

• Yogurts

  Various yogurt products.

• Dairy desserts

  Dairy-based desserts.

• Tofu and milk substitutes

  Via Meshek Weiler acquisition.

1. 1עמוד בית | מחלבות גדgad-dairy.co.il
2. 2Gad dairies - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3מחלבות גד - Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org