Friesland­Campina and Milcobel plan to merge

FrieslandCampina and Milcobel, two major players in the dairy sector, have announced their intention to merge. This move aims to create an international organisation better equipped to navigate a dynamic global market. The merger is expected to strengthen their market position while opening up opportunities for further growth and innovation in areas such as cheese, yoghurt, and dairy ingredients.

Regional collaboration, global impact

Both cooperatives have been owned by dairy farmers for many years and complement each other well in markets and products. FrieslandCampina stands out in the global dairy industry, while Milcobel contributes its own expertise and strong regional presence. This combination promises not only efficiency gains but also a stronger focus on sustainability and innovation.

What’s at stake?

The merger process is still underway. Approvals are required from both the member councils and competition authorities. The final organisation, excluding the sale of Milcobel’s Ysco division, is projected to achieve an annual turnover of over €14 billion. Together, more than 22,000 employees across 30 countries would process nearly 10 billion kilograms of milk annually.

With this step, the cooperatives aim to strengthen not only their member dairy farmers but also provide added value to their customers and employees. Their shared mission? To stay ahead in an ever-changing global market.

Frieslandcampina.com