FrieslandCampina and Milcobel announce merger

Dec 19, 2024
2 min read

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.

#FrieslandCampina #Europe #dairy

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Leah Smith

8 May 2026

New products

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.

The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.

Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.

The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.

Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.

Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.

Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”

The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.

Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.