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FrieslandCampina and Milcobel have announced plans to merge, forming a new international dairy cooperative and company.

The combined organisation will focus on expanding its product portfolio in areas such as cheese, mozzarella, white dairy products (milk, buttermilk and yogurt) and ingredients. The merger aims to improve efficiency and sustainability across both companies.

The merger is subject to approval from FrieslandCampina’s Members’ Council, Milcobel’s Extraordinary Meeting of Shareholders and antitrust authorities. Member dairy farmers, employees and trade unions have been informed about the proposal.

Sybren Attema, chair of the board of FrieslandCampina, said: “The combination of FrieslandCampina and Milcobel is bigger than the sum of its parts. It creates a future-oriented, combined dairy cooperative that is resilient and capable of capitalising on opportunities in the dynamic global dairy market. This strengthens our appeal to member dairy farmers, business partners and employees. Moreover, this step supports us in realising a leading milk price for our member dairy farmers, now and in the future.”

Betty Eeckhaut, chair of the board of Milcobel, added: “The cooperative philosophy, which is deeply rooted at both Milcobel and FrieslandCampina, is the bedrock for this proposed merger. Our goal remains to create added value for our member dairy farmers. Through our regional complementarity we will become the cooperative dairy partner of choice for current and new members, with a solid milk supply for a successful future."

"For employees, the new organisation provides great opportunities to grow in an international environment. For customers, this merger means more innovation, an expanded product portfolio and further professionalisation of our services.”

Based on 2023 figures, the new entity would have pro forma revenue of over €14 billion, operating in 30 countries with nearly 22,000 employees. The merger would process about 10 billion kilograms of milk annually, sourced from 16,000 member dairy farmers across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Northern France.

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