Explore the pivotal global dairy business events from January to June 2024. Keep up with essential mergers, expansions, and executive appointments. Ready to delve in?
In the dairy business, developments happen quickly, influencing markets from the Midwest of America to Southeast Asia. The first half of 2024 was no different, with mergers, acquisitions, and expansions shaping the global dairy landscape. You’ve come to the right place if you want to stay ahead. This summary retrospectively looks at significant industry events from January to June 2024. Tracking these developments is about more than just who’s merging or expanding. It’s about understanding trends that drive the industry and anticipating shifts that could impact your business. Every executive change and market strategy plays a role in the bigger picture.
January 2024: A Month of Strategic Moves and Expansion in the Dairy Industry
January 2024 witnessed significant movement in the dairy industry. Among the top executive changes, Molly Pelzer, CEO of Midwest Dairy, announced her retirement effective March 2024, while Lino A. Saputo of Saputo Inc. received the prestigious Order of Canada. Strategic mergers and acquisitions also marked the month: Ornua Nutrition Ingredients sold its UK powder blending and manufacturing business to Roger Wertheim-Aymes. Danone struck a deal to sell its Horizon Organic and Wallaby businesses to Platinum Equity.
Expansion was the theme for several companies. Domino’s outlined an ambitious plan to add over 1,100 new stores annually, and Pizza Inn signed a franchise agreement to establish 50 new locations in Saudi Arabia. Natural Organic expanded its footprint into Vietnam and Thailand, and Lakeland Dairies announced capacity upgrades at its Killeshandra fluid milk facility. The Chinese dairy sector saw the commencement of operations at the National Dairy Innovation Center.
Japan’s Meiji nearly doubled its investment in Danone’s infant formula facility in Ireland, underscoring a trend of international growth among Irish dairy companies, including moves by Lakeland Dairies and Danone to expand their global reach.
February 2024: A Flurry of Strategic Business Moves, Investments, and Growth Initiatives in the Global Dairy Sector
February 2024 saw significant strategic moves, partnerships, and investments in the global dairy sector, underscoring growth and market expansion.
Global investment firm Cathay Capital partnered with French dairy company Savencia Fromage and Dairy to boost Savencia’s presence in China. This collaboration involves Cathay investing in Savencia’s Chinese brand Baijifu, which offers over 50 cheese and dairy products. Cathay will focus on product innovation, brand development, sales expansion, and supply chain management to tap into China’s dairy potential.
Russian dairy producer EkoNiva Group significantly boosted its exports by opening a new office in Xi’an, China. This move aims to increase brand awareness, diversify product offerings, and leverage regional rail transport to improve supply chains. EkoNiva has been actively exporting dairy products to China, including retail UHT milk, since 2020.
The Value4Dairy Consortium, led by Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina, received a $5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This grant aims to bolster dairy productivity and sustainability in Nigeria, modernize the sector, and support small-scale milk production, benefiting around 40,000 producers.
Fonterra Co-operative Group launched initiatives to enhance sustainable production. Fonterra Australia introduced the “Naked Mozz” project, eliminating over 330 tons of cardboard annually, resulting in significant cost savings. Additionally, Fonterra announced the installation of a 20-megawatt electrode boiler at its Edendale site in New Zealand to reduce emissions and the overall carbon footprint.
Denmark-based Arla Foods entered talks to acquire the Semper facility in Sweden from Hero Group, highlighting Arla’s intent to enhance its production capabilities and optimize operations.
FrieslandCampina continued its proactive expansion in Southeast Asia by introducing new products under its Nurture brand in Singapore and planning market entries in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The company targets active professionals with probiotic drinks.
In executive leadership changes, Irish dairy cooperative Ornua appointed Lindsay Brady as President of Ornua Foods North America, underscoring its strategic growth plans for the U.S. and Latin America.
February 2024 demonstrated the global dairy sector’s dynamic and competitive nature through robust investments, key partnerships, and strategic market expansions.
March Sees Developments in Global Companies’ Revenues and Profits and Market Challenges.
As noted in their financial performance results, persistently high inflation impacted sales at many major global dairy processors in 2023.
China driving results for a2 Milk Co. New Zealand’s a2 Milk Co. saw revenue up 3.7% and net profit after tax up 15.6% in its 2024 half-year results, thanks to solid performance in China. Despite higher costs and fewer births, a2 posted a 1.5% growth in total IMF sales but cautioned about challenging market conditions ahead.
Dairy Ireland weighs on Kerry Group results. Kerry Group’s 2023 revenues dropped by 8.6% to €8.020 billion (about US$8.7 billion), attributed to falling sales and volumes in Dairy Ireland. The unit experienced constrained supply and elevated input costs. CEO Edmond Scanlon mentioned focusing on emerging markets and sustainable nutrition as key differentiators.
“Difficult year” for FrieslandCampina. FrieslandCampina’s revenue fell 7.1% to €13 billion (about US$14 billion), driven by unfavorable currency effects and declining consumer market volumes due to high inflation. Operating profit plummeted 84.1%. CEO Jan Derck van Karnebeek highlighted the tough year and anticipates slightly growing demand but increased costs due to geopolitical instability.
Solid results for Danone. Danone’s 2023 revenue rose 7% to €27.6 billion (about US$30 billion), driven by a 7.4% price increase and growth in its essential dairy and plant-based protein business. CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique cited progress and development, particularly in China and North Asia. The company expects inflation to ease and sales growth of 3% to 5% this year.
Dairy and Infant Nutrition grow for Nestlé. Nestlé reported a 1.5% decrease in total sales to CHF93 billion (about US$106 billion). However, infant nutrition and dairy showed bright spots with high single-digit growth. CEO Mark Schneider credited increased marketing and investments for the company’s growth despite inflation. Nestlé expects organic sales growth of around 4% in 2024.
April Proved to Be a Dynamic Month with Several Noteworthy Developments Shaping the Global Dairy Industry
April was a dynamic month with several noteworthy developments shaping the global dairy industry. Here are the key highlights:
Fonterra’s Strategic Moves: New Zealand’s Fonterra announced the closure of two Waikato processing plants to boost high-value product production. This shift includes closing the Waitoa specialty powders site and two dryers at Te Rapa, focusing more on specialty nutrition dryers and UHT plants.
Westland Milk Products’ Financial Gains: Westland Milk Products, owned by China’s Yili Group, reported a record profit of NZ$56 million. Strong sales of high-value products like butter and strategic international partnerships with retailers like Walmart and Costco drove success.
Cutting-Edge Collaborations: FrieslandCampina Ingredients and Triplebar Bio Inc. teamed up to produce lactoferrin through precision fermentation, meeting the growing global demand for this protein.
New Plant Investments: Meiji celebrated its new $90-million ice cream plant in Shanghai. Fonterra’s Anchor Food Professionals also announced a distribution switch to penetrate the Chinese bakery sector more deeply.
Ongoing Technological Expansion: Fonterra’s new application center in Wuhan, China, will be operational in September. It will leverage new technologies to boost dairy product quality.
Acquisitions and Strategic Divestments: Italy’s Sabelli acquired Stella Bianca to expand its dairy segment. Saputo revealed several U.S. plant closures as part of its Global Strategic Plan.
Innovative Approaches in Dairy Nutritional Products: Nestlé China introduced Yiyang Wanning, a milk powder to improve sleep, while Japan’s Meiji launched Eye and Sleep W Support, which claimed to aid eye health and sleep.
Carbon Reduction Initiatives: General Mills announced a plan to reduce methane emissions on dairy farms by 40% by 2030. Their Climate Transition Action Plan focuses on regenerative agricultural practices and supports the Dairy Methane Action Alliance.
May 2024: Navigating Financial Turbulence, Strategic Shifts, and Bold Investments in the Dairy Industry
May 2024 developments in the dairy industry highlight various financial challenges, strategic restructuring plans, market exits, and new investments. These actions are shaping the landscape for companies navigating competitive market conditions.
Belgium-based dairy cooperative Milcobel is reorganizing following a net loss of 3.7% in 2023. Their plan includes integrating dairy units for synergy and scaling back milk powder activities by September 2024.
Several Irish dairy companies faced hurdles in 2023. Lakeland Dairies saw a significant revenue and profit drop due to a global dairy market collapse, leading them to prioritize value-added products. Ornua and Carbery Group also faced challenges, prompting increased investments in international markets. Aurivo Dairy Ingredients noted an operational profit drop but aims to grow in Central America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
General Mills might sell its North American yogurt business, including Yoplait, potentially valued at $2 billion. This signals a strategic recalibration.
In China, Yili Industrial Group reported a record-breaking $17.6 billion operating income for 2023, thanks to innovations like advanced lactoferrin extraction technology. Yili aims to leverage these advancements to enhance its market leadership.
Pizza Hut China launched a Pizza Burger to cater to young, single consumers, reflecting a strategic diversification to capture niche markets.
On sustainability, Mars Inc. initiated a plan to cut GHG emissions by 50% by 2030. Partnering with FrieslandCampina, Mars will focus on sustainable feed production and manure management.
Dale Farm announced a £70 million investment in its cheddar processing facility to boost production capabilities and meet rising demand.
These developments show that while the global dairy industry faces challenges, companies are actively restructuring, investing in innovation, and adopting sustainable practices to thrive in the evolving market landscape.
June 2024: Significant Developments Shaping the Global Dairy Industry
June saw notable developments in the global dairy industry. As Synlait Milk faces financial difficulties, over half of its suppliers plan to cease milk supply. At the same time, the company looks to sell its manufacturing plants and consumer Dairyworks business to reduce debt. A vote on a NZ$130 million loan from major shareholder Bright Dairy is pending.
On the expansion front, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (a subsidiary of Royal FrieslandCampina) opened a new plant in Malaysia, which is set to double production capacity and achieve sustainability goals. Similarly, Idaho-based Suntado celebrated opening a new production facility in Burley, which can handle over 450 MT of raw milk daily, with future expansions on the horizon.
Corporate moves included Müller UK & Ireland’s acquisition of Yew Tree Dairy, positioning Müller for growth in the powdered milk market. Ireland’s Lakeland Dairies aims to sell its shuttered Banbridge site, and Oatly abandoned plans for its first UK beverage facility, opting to utilize European sites instead.
In executive news, Clover Sonoma appointed John Coletta as the new CEO. Meanwhile, DMK Group announced plant closures due to lower milk volumes. Financial highlights came from Saputo, which reported a rise in revenues but a drop in net earnings for FY 2024, and Yakult Honsha announced plans for a new factory in the Philippines to meet rising demand.
Campbell Soup Co. decided to sell the Noosa yogurt brand, and Fonterra planned a new application center in China. Danone and Michelin collaborated with DMC Biotechnologies to accelerate precision fermentation developments. Lastly, Oceania Dairy reported losses, and Bidcorp U.K. acquired Northern Bloc Ice Cream, marking notable market activities in June 2024.
The Bottom Line
The first half of 2024 has highlighted the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of the global dairy industry. Dairy companies worldwide have shown agility and resilience through strategic shifts, mergers, acquisitions, expansions, and product innovations. This period marked critical leadership transitions, significant investments in technology and sustainability, and ongoing market challenges shaping the sector. Key trends include a focus on healthy eating, sustainability efforts, and growth in emerging markets. Companies like Nestlé, Fonterra, and Danone are leading efforts in methane reduction, innovative products for specific health benefits, and strategic market expansions. The industry’s dynamic nature underscores the importance of staying updated with comprehensive insights and analyses. As we continue through 2024, monitoring these developments is crucial to adapt to the rapidly evolving dairy market. This review provides invaluable insights for industry stakeholders, stressing the need for continual adaptation and informed decision-making.
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership Changes: Key appointments and retirements mark shifts in leadership across various companies like Midwest Dairy and Saputo Inc.
- Mergers & Acquisitions: Notable mergers include Wasoko and MaxAB in Africa, while prominent acquisitions involve Ornua Nutrition Ingredients in the UK.
- Global Expansion: Companies like Nutura Organic and Danone are expanding their footprints into new markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, and the U.S.
- Innovative Trends: FrieslandCampina Ingredients and others are focusing on consumer health with trends like sustainable nutrition and gut health advancements.
- Environmental Initiatives: Investments in reducing carbon footprints and increasing sustainability, as seen with Lactalis and Fonterra.
- Financial Performance: Reports reveal a mix of gains and losses influenced by market conditions, inflation, and strategic investments.
Summary:
In the first half of 2024, the global dairy industry witnessed a dynamic mix of strategic moves, mergers, acquisitions, expansions, and notable executive changes. Key highlights include Midwest Dairy CEO Molly Pelzer announcing her retirement, Saputo Inc.’s recognition with the Order of Canada, and significant investments from companies like Danone and Lactalis in renewable energy and operational expansions. Domino’s ambitious growth plans further spotlight the sector’s momentum, while regional industry trends emerged with strong initiatives from Nutura Organic in Southeast Asia and modern farming strategies from FrieslandCampina in Nigeria. As dairy companies navigate a challenging landscape marked by evolving consumer preferences and sustainability goals, the first half of the year set a robust foundation for continual growth and innovation.
Learn more:
- Is 2024 Shaping Up to Be a Disappointing Year for Dairy Exports and Milk Yields?
- How Cheese Exports and China’s Demand are Powering the US Dairy Economy in 2024
- U.S. Dairy Exports Surge in April: Record Cheese Shipments and Whey Boost
