Melkunie products get Beter voor Natuur & Boer certifi­ca­tion

The first Melkunie milk and buttermilk bearing the Beter voor Natuur & Boer certification are now available in supermarkets. With this move, Arla Foods, Melkunie's parent company, initiates a phased sustainability transformation of its entire product range. This approach aims to benefit not only the climate, nature, and animals but also the farmers.

Following milk and buttermilk, Melkunie yogurt will soon carry the certification. By 2026, other popular products such as custard, porridges, and Melkunie Breaker® will be included in the certification program. The certification sets clear requirements, including at least 180 days of pasture grazing, more space in the barn, and the use of herb-rich grassland. “We offer farmers a future perspective,” says Esther Tromp-Strijdveen, senior vice president at Arla Foods. “I look forward to transitioning the rest of the assortment to the certification.”

Farmers receive premium and assurance

Dairy farmers who join receive a sustainability premium of 5 cents per kilogram of milk. The independent Beter voor Natuur & Boer foundation determines this premium and recalculates it if the requirements change. Arla Foods guarantees dairy farmers a minimum three-year purchase commitment at the established premium. To assist farmers with the transition, Arla offers support, such as guidance on establishing herb-rich grasslands and implementing more sustainable farming practices.

Call to dairy farmers

To expand the certification program, Arla Foods is actively seeking dairy farmers. New suppliers become immediate members of the cooperative and share in the profits. For 2024, members receive an additional payment of 2.2 cents per kilogram of milk, totaling €292 million in payouts. Interested farmers can sign up with Arla Foods.