Arla is a Other brand from China.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Arla Foods is an international dairy cooperative headquartered in Viby J, Denmark. Although its modern identity emerged from the combination of Danish and Swedish dairy organisations, its heritage reaches back to the cooperative dairies established by farmers in Denmark and Sweden during the 1880s. The company is owned by dairy farmers rather than public shareholders, and its cooperative structure is designed to return the value created from milk processing and branded products to its farmer owners. The modern Arla Foods was created on 17 April 2000 through the merger of Danish MD Foods and the Swedish cooperative Arla ekonomisk Förening. The transaction created one of the first large cross-border dairy cooperatives in Europe and combined strong positions in the Nordic markets with an ambition to build a wider European and international business. Later mergers and acquisitions expanded the ownership base and manufacturing network into the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Important steps included the integration of Express Dairies in the United Kingdom, Hansa-Milch and Milch-Union Hocheifel in Germany, and Milk Link in the United Kingdom. Arla operates across several layers of the dairy value chain. Its consumer portfolio includes fresh and long-life milk, organic milk, butter, spreads, cheese, cream, yogurt, cultured products, milk-based beverages and chilled coffee. The company also supplies foodservice customers and manufactures milk powders, whey products, lactose, minerals, phospholipids and specialised nutritional ingredients through Arla Foods Ingredients. The ingredients business serves infant nutrition, clinical nutrition, sports and performance nutrition, health foods, bakery, confectionery and other food manufacturers. The 2024 acquisition of Volac’s Whey Nutrition business strengthened Arla Foods Ingredients’ presence in whey protein and added a major production facility in Wales. Arla’s main strategic consumer brands are Arla, Lurpak, Puck and Castello, supplemented by the licensed Starbucks chilled ready-to-drink coffee business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Arla brand covers a broad range of dairy categories, while Lurpak is especially associated with butter and spreads, Castello with specialty and traditional cheeses, and Puck with dairy products in the Middle East and North Africa. Arla also operates market-specific brands and private-label manufacturing relationships. In 2020, it launched JÖRĐ, a plant-based oat-drink range, as an attempt to participate in the expanding alternative-dairy category while retaining dairy as its core business. The cooperative’s geographic profile is broader than its Nordic origins. Its principal farmer-owner countries are Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Arla also sells through local subsidiaries, distributors, joint ventures and strategic partners in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North America. Notable relationships include partnerships involving China Mengniu and COFCO, distribution arrangements in a number of Asian markets, and a long-term Starbucks agreement covering the manufacture, marketing and distribution of ready-to-drink coffee products across EMEA. Sustainability is central to Arla’s current positioning. The company links its farmer-owned model with animal welfare, food safety, local food production and lower-emission milk production. Its FarmAhead and Sustainability Incentive programmes use farm data and a points-based system to reward participating farmers for activities such as improved feed efficiency, manure management, renewable electricity, land use and biodiversity measures. Arla has set a target to reduce emissions from milk and whey by approximately 30.3 percent by 2030, with a longer-term ambition of climate neutrality by 2050. These claims and programmes have also made the company a focus of public debate about the environmental impact of dairy farming and the use of feed additives such as Bovaer. By 2025, Arla remained a large global dairy business with substantial revenue from branded products, commodity and industrial dairy sales, foodservice and specialised ingredients. Its 2025 results showed strong growth in Arla Foods Ingredients following the Volac integration, continued investment in UHT milk, cream cheese and other capacity, and a cooperative model that continued to prioritise the milk price and sustainability payments received by farmer owners. In 2026, Arla began implementing the approved combination with German dairy cooperative DMK, adding a major new phase to its European consolidation strategy.
History
Arla’s history begins with the cooperative movement that developed among dairy farmers in Denmark and Sweden during the late nineteenth century. In 1881, farmers associated with Stora Arla Gård in Västmanland, Sweden, established an early cooperative dairy organisation. A Danish cooperative dairy followed in 1882 at Hjedding near Ølgod in Southern Jutland. These organisations allowed farmers to pool capital, build shared production facilities, improve quality control and negotiate more effectively in the dairy market. The Swedish cooperative system became increasingly centralised during the early twentieth century. In 1915, dairy farmers in Stockholm and neighbouring counties formed Lantmännens mjölkförsäljningsförening, or the Farmers’ Milk Retail Association. The organisation operated dairies and retail shops. In 1927, it registered the name Mjölkcentralen, commonly shortened to MC. During the following decades, regional Swedish cooperatives joined the organisation, which became a dominant force in the national dairy industry. In 1975, MC adopted the name Arla, reviving a historic Swedish dairy name. By the end of the twentieth century, the Swedish Arla cooperative held a very large share of the Swedish milk market. Danish dairy consolidation followed a parallel path. Mejeriselskabet Danmark, known as MD, was created in 1970 through the combination of four dairy companies and three individual dairies. It changed its name to MD Foods in 1988. In 1992, MD Foods entered into a binding cooperation agreement with Kløver Mælk, Denmark’s second-largest dairy company at the time. The two businesses later merged, giving MD Foods a dominant position in Danish milk collection and processing. The decisive turning point came on 17 April 2000, when MD Foods and the Swedish Arla cooperative completed their merger. The new organisation, Arla Foods amba, became one of Europe’s first major cross-border dairy cooperatives. Its headquarters were established in Denmark, while the organisation retained a strong Swedish identity and farmer base. The merger provided greater scale in procurement, processing, logistics, international marketing and research, and laid the foundation for Arla’s subsequent expansion beyond Scandinavia. During the 2000s, Arla expanded through acquisitions and partnerships. It acquired National Cheese Company in Canada in 2004, began a milk-powder partnership with China Mengniu in 2005, and bought White Clover in Wisconsin and Tholstrup Cheese in 2006. Tholstrup brought the Castello cheese brand into Arla’s portfolio. Arla also announced the acquisition of Finnish dairy company Ingman Foods, strengthening its position in Finland and the Baltic region. In 2007, Arla combined with Express Dairies in the United Kingdom, creating Arla Foods UK as a major supplier to the British dairy market. The company subsequently acquired or integrated Friesland Fresh Foods in the Netherlands and developed further British operations through partnerships including Westbury Dairies. Arla’s geographic ownership structure broadened significantly after 2011. The combination with Hansa-Milch brought German cooperative farmers into Arla. In 2012, Arla merged with Milch-Union Hocheifel in Germany and Milk Link in the United Kingdom. These transactions increased the number of cooperative owners and made the organisation more representative of several European dairy regions. Arla also deepened its international reach through agreements with China Mengniu and COFCO and through local distribution and production partnerships in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The Middle East became one of Arla’s most important international markets, particularly through the Puck brand and products sold under Arla, Dano and local or licensed labels. This market was severely disrupted in 2006 when a boycott of Danish products followed the publication of cartoons of Muhammad in a Danish newspaper. Arla reported that Middle East sales had effectively stopped during the boycott. The company apologised to consumers in Saudi Arabia through newspaper advertising, faced criticism in Denmark for that response, and later reported that products were returning to regional stores. The episode demonstrated both the strength of Arla’s international exposure and the vulnerability of food brands to political and cultural events. Arla continued to diversify its business beyond conventional retail dairy. In 2011, Arla Foods Ingredients became an independent subsidiary focused on milk-based and whey-based ingredients. Its portfolio includes functional proteins, nutritional ingredients, lactose, minerals, permeate and phospholipids for food and nutrition manufacturers. The division developed joint ventures and production arrangements in Europe and Argentina, and later became a central part of Arla’s strategy to shift more milk into higher-value applications such as sports nutrition, medical nutrition and early-life nutrition. Brand development became another major pillar. Arla, Lurpak, Castello and Puck were developed as strategic international brands, while the company also expanded its partnership with Starbucks. In 2018, Arla secured a long-term agreement to manufacture, market and distribute Starbucks chilled ready-to-drink coffee products across EMEA. In 2020, the company launched JÖRĐ, its first plant-based range, reflecting changing consumer preferences and the growth of oat-based beverages. Sustainability increasingly shaped Arla’s operating model during the 2020s. The company introduced farm climate checks, emission-reduction programmes and a Sustainability Incentive that links part of farmer payments to documented environmental measures. The system rewards actions involving feed, fertiliser, manure, energy, land use and biodiversity. Arla has stated an ambition to reduce emissions from milk and whey by approximately 30.3 percent by 2030 and to reach climate neutrality by 2050. These goals have been accompanied by debate over whether dairy production can become sufficiently low-impact and over the use of methane-reducing feed additives. In 2024, Arla Foods Ingredients acquired Volac’s Whey Nutrition business and its Welsh production facility after regulatory approval. The transaction expanded Arla’s whey-protein capacity and became a major contributor to ingredients growth in 2025. Arla also continued investing in cream cheese, UHT milk, Skyr and cheese capacity in several countries. In 2026, the approved merger with German cooperative DMK Group marked another significant consolidation step. Arla initially kept DMK as a separate business unit while establishing joint leadership structures, particularly in Germany. The transaction represents a continuation of the cooperative consolidation that has defined Arla’s history since its foundation.
- 2026
DMK integration begins
[8]After approval of the Arla-DMK combination, Arla began building joint operating and leadership structures while maintaining transitional business continuity.
- 2025
Ingredients business becomes major growth engine
[13]Arla reported strong growth in Arla Foods Ingredients, supported by demand for specialised proteins and the integration of the former Volac business.
- 2024
Volac Whey Nutrition business acquired
[6]Arla Foods Ingredients acquired Volac’s Whey Nutrition business and its Felinfach facility in Wales, strengthening whey-protein capacity.
- 2023
Sustainability Incentive payments begin
[7]Arla began linking farmer milk payments to a points-based system rewarding documented climate and environmental actions.
- 2020
JÖRĐ plant-based range launched
[11]Arla entered the plant-based beverage category with a range of oat drinks under the JÖRĐ brand.
- 2018
Kraft-branded cheese business acquired in Middle East and Africa
[11]Arla acquired Mondelēz International’s Kraft-branded cheese business in the Middle East and Africa.
- 2018
Starbucks ready-to-drink partnership extended
[12]Arla and Starbucks signed a long-term agreement covering the manufacture, marketing and distribution of chilled ready-to-drink coffee across EMEA.
- 2012
Milk Link and Milch-Union Hocheifel combinations completed
[11]Arla expanded its cooperative base and manufacturing footprint through combinations with Milk Link in the United Kingdom and Milch-Union Hocheifel in Germany.
- 2012
Agreements signed with Mengniu and COFCO
[11]Arla deepened its strategic presence in China through agreements with Mengniu and COFCO.
- 2011
Arla Foods Ingredients becomes an independent subsidiary
[9]Arla separated its milk-ingredients division into Arla Foods Ingredients, creating a dedicated business for nutritional and functional dairy ingredients.
Products and positioning
A farmer-owned international dairy cooperative emphasizing trusted dairy brands, quality and food safety, broad market access, specialised nutrition, and more sustainable milk production.
Core dairy brand
Arla
The Arla brand is the cooperative’s broadest consumer identity and appears across fresh and long-life milk, organic dairy, yogurt, cream, cheese, protein products, Skyr, milk-based beverages and foodservice products. It communicates the company’s farmer ownership and serves as the central brand platform in Nordic and international markets. Product formats and recipes vary by country, reflecting local retail, regulatory and consumption patterns.
Butter and spreads · 1901
Lurpak
Lurpak is Arla’s internationally recognised butter and spreads brand. Its portfolio includes salted and unsalted butter, spreadable butter blends and other chilled fat products. The brand is positioned around taste, cooking performance and premium everyday use, and is sold across the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and other export markets.
Cheese · 2006
Castello
Castello is Arla’s international cheese brand, acquired through the 2006 purchase of Tholstrup Cheese. It includes blue cheeses, soft cheeses, yellow cheeses, specialty cheeses and products designed for cooking, entertaining and snacking. Castello gives Arla a branded position in higher-value cheese categories beyond standard block and sliced cheese.
Dairy products for the Middle East and North Africa
Puck
Puck is a major Arla brand in the Middle East and North Africa. Its range includes cooking cream, processed cream cheese, spreadable products, labneh, shredded cheese, evaporated milk and other dairy products adapted to regional cooking and consumption habits. In 2025, Puck recorded strong volume-driven growth, particularly in cooking categories and spreadable dairy.
Milk powder and dairy products
Dano
Dano is an Arla milk-powder and dairy brand with a particularly long-standing presence in Bangladesh and other international markets. The portfolio is designed for household nutrition, beverage preparation and food use, and provides Arla with a market-specific brand platform where fresh dairy distribution is more limited.
Ready-to-drink coffee · 2011
Starbucks chilled ready-to-drink coffee
Through a long-term strategic partnership with Starbucks, Arla manufactures, markets and distributes chilled milk-based ready-to-drink coffee beverages across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The range includes classic chilled coffees, seasonal products and newer formats such as protein-oriented coffee drinks. It has become one of Arla’s important growth platforms outside traditional dairy.
Dairy ingredients and specialised nutrition · 2011
Arla Foods Ingredients
Arla Foods Ingredients develops and manufactures whey and milk-based ingredients for infant, clinical, sports and performance nutrition, health foods, bakery, confectionery and dairy manufacturers. Its products include whey protein isolates and concentrates, casein-related ingredients, lactose, permeate, minerals, phospholipids and other functional nutrition components. The business has become strategically important because it converts milk and whey into higher-value industrial and nutritional applications.
Plant-based oat drinks · 2020
JÖRĐ
JÖRĐ was Arla’s first dedicated plant-based product range. Launched in 2020, it initially focused on oat drinks and was intended to give the dairy cooperative a presence in the fast-growing alternative beverage segment. The range represents diversification rather than a replacement for Arla’s core dairy portfolio.
Controversies
2026
Arla Protein Puddings recall
Arla Foods Ltd issued a recall of various Arla Protein Pudding products. According to the recall notice, the products may contain glass. The recall covers multiple varieties of the Arla Protein Pudding line. The notice did not specify affected batch codes, best-before dates, or the number of units involved. No injuries or other outcomes were reported in the notice. The recall was announced in November 2026.
2024
Backlash over Bovaer feed trial
Arla faced boycott calls and online misinformation in the United Kingdom after announcing a trial of Bovaer, a feed additive intended to reduce methane emissions from dairy cows. Critics raised unsubstantiated safety and conspiracy claims. Arla and the manufacturer defended the trial, stating that the additive had undergone testing and received regulatory approval for relevant uses.
2021
Angliss Singapore sues former employee over alleged confidential-information misappropriation
Angliss Singapore is suing a former senior employee, alleging that he misappropriated confidential information when leaving for a competitor; Angliss alleges the conduct resulted in the loss of a long-held distributorship. The claims are allegations in an ongoing case.
2006
Middle East boycott over Danish cartoons
Arla became one of the most commercially affected companies during a boycott of Danish products in the Middle East following controversy over cartoons published in Denmark depicting Muhammad. The company’s sales in the region collapsed temporarily, and its apology advertising in Saudi Arabia prompted criticism in Denmark.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023FarmAhead Sustainability Incentive
Denmark · Sweden · United Kingdom · Germany · Belgium · Luxembourg · The Netherlands
Arla introduced a points-based farmer payment programme rewarding documented activities that can reduce emissions and improve environmental performance, including feed efficiency, manure management, renewable electricity and land-use measures.
Outcome. The programme embedded sustainability performance into the monthly milk price and was presented as a mechanism for accelerating progress toward Arla’s 2030 emissions goals.
- 2022Don’t Cancel the Cow
United Kingdom · Other European markets
The campaign addressed young consumers’ concern about dairy farming’s environmental impact and argued that the future of food should focus on improving dairy production rather than eliminating cows from the food system.
Outcome. The campaign generated public discussion and criticism from vegan and environmental commentators who viewed its framing as dismissive of plant-based alternatives.
- 2018Starbucks chilled coffee growth programme
Europe · Middle East · Africa
Arla and Starbucks extended their strategic partnership, using wider distribution, new formats and market expansion to grow chilled ready-to-drink coffee across EMEA.
Outcome. The partnership became a significant international growth platform and continued under a long-term manufacturing, marketing and distribution agreement.
- 2006Middle East recovery and humanitarian support campaign
Saudi Arabia · Middle East
After a boycott of Danish products severely affected sales, Arla placed apology advertising in Saudi Arabia, emphasised its respect for Muslim consumers and later supported humanitarian initiatives in the region as it worked to rebuild commercial trust.
Outcome. Arla reported that products began returning to Middle Eastern shops in April 2006, although the company’s response generated criticism among some Danish politicians and women’s organisations.
Brand decisions
2026
Implement combination with DMK GroupM&ABackground
European dairy markets continued to consolidate, and combining Arla with German cooperative DMK offered greater scale, manufacturing reach and farmer ownership across the region.
Action taken
After approval of the merger, Arla began integrating DMK through transitional joint structures while initially keeping DMK as a separate business unit.
Aftermath
The combination created a new phase of organisational integration, including joint German market leadership and additional DMK farmer and employee representation in Arla governance.
2025
Invest in UHT milk, cream cheese and other capacity projectsOtherBackground
Arla identified long-life milk, cream cheese, Skyr and regional cheese products as areas with opportunities for volume and value growth.
Action taken
The company committed to capacity projects including a UHT centre of excellence in Lockerbie, Scotland, cream cheese expansion at Holstebro in Denmark, Skyr capacity in Linköping and cheese capacity in Bahrain.
Aftermath
The projects supported Arla’s strategy of investing through market volatility and expanding higher-growth or strategically important categories.
Group capital investment commitment. EUR 731 million (2025)
2024
Acquire Volac Whey Nutrition businessM&ABackground
Arla Foods Ingredients needed additional whey supply, production capacity and market reach to serve fast-growing demand for protein ingredients.
Action taken
Arla acquired Volac’s Whey Nutrition business and its Felinfach facility in Wales after approval by the UK Competition and Markets Authority.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Arla’s whey-protein production network and contributed materially to Arla Foods Ingredients’ growth in 2025.
2023
Tie part of farmer milk payments to sustainability performanceStrategyBackground
Arla needed a mechanism to encourage measurable on-farm emissions and environmental improvements while maintaining its farmer-owned economic model.
Action taken
Arla launched the Sustainability Incentive, a points-based system that adds payments to the milk price for eligible climate and environmental actions and for participation in farm climate checks.
Aftermath
The programme made sustainability performance a direct economic component of farmer compensation and became part of Arla’s broader FarmAhead framework.
Planned sustainability incentive allocation. Up to EUR 500 million per year, with at least EUR 2.2 billion earmarked through 2030 based on the initial programme design (2023-2030)
2020
Enter plant-based beverages with JÖRĐProduct launchBackground
Consumer interest in oat drinks and other plant-based alternatives was increasing, creating pressure for dairy companies to broaden their portfolios.
Action taken
Arla launched JÖRĐ, its first plant-based range, beginning with oat drinks.
Aftermath
The launch gave Arla a position in plant-based beverages while the cooperative continued to centre its business on dairy products and farmer-owned milk.
2018
Extend Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee agreementStrategyBackground
Arla had already developed a successful partnership with Starbucks and sought to secure long-term access to the growing chilled coffee category.
Action taken
Arla and Starbucks signed a 21-year strategic agreement covering production, marketing and distribution in EMEA.
Aftermath
Starbucks chilled coffee expanded across more EMEA markets and became an important non-traditional dairy growth platform for Arla.
2011
Create Arla Foods Ingredients as an independent subsidiaryStrategyBackground
Demand was growing for specialised milk and whey ingredients used in nutrition, health foods and industrial food applications.
Action taken
Arla separated its former ingredients division into Arla Foods Ingredients, giving it dedicated management and a more focused growth strategy.
Aftermath
The ingredients business became a major strategic growth engine, especially in whey proteins, early-life nutrition, sports nutrition and medical nutrition.
2000
Merge MD Foods with Swedish ArlaM&ABackground
The Danish MD Foods cooperative and Swedish Arla sought greater scale and international competitiveness in a consolidating European dairy industry.
Action taken
The two organisations completed a cross-border merger on 17 April 2000 and formed Arla Foods amba.
Aftermath
The merger created a major Nordic dairy cooperative and provided the platform for subsequent expansion into the United Kingdom, Germany, continental Europe and international markets.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Arla Protein Puddings recall[14]
Arla Foods Ltd is recalling various Arla Protein Pudding products because they may contain glass.
Reported
Angliss Singapore sues former employee over alleged confidential-information misappropriation[15]
Angliss Singapore is suing a former senior employee, alleging that he misappropriated confidential information when leaving for a competitor; Angliss alleges the conduct resulted in the loss of a long-held distributorship. The claims are allegations in an ongoing case.
Reported
Arla announces October milk price increase[16]
Arla announced that its on-account prices for conventional and organic milk would increase by 0.5 euro cents per kilo from 1 October 2020.
Reported
Arla announces May milk price reduction[17]
Arla announced that its UK milk price would decrease from May 1, 2020. The reduction for conventional and organic milk was stated as one eurocent, equivalent to a 0.9p-per-litre reduction for the UK manufacturing price.
Reported
Arla launches JÖRĐ oat-based drinks range[18]
Arla launched a three-product range of oat-based drinks under its new JÖRĐ umbrella brand.
Sources24 sources
- 1Arla Foods history and landmarksarla.com
- 2Arla Foods managementarla.com
- 3Arla Foods Board of Directorsarla.com
- 4Arla Foods Annual Report 2025arla.com
- 5Arla Foods 2025 results overviewarla.com
- 6Arla Foods Ingredients acquisition of Volac Whey Nutritionarla.com
- 7Arla Sustainability Incentivearla.com
- 8Arla-DMK integration leadership announcementarla.com
- 9Arla Foodsen.wikipedia.org
- 10Arla Foods UKen.wikipedia.org
- 11National Cheese Company acquiredarla.com
- 12Starbucks ready-to-drink partnership extendedarla.com
- 13Ingredients business becomes major growth enginearla.com
- 14Arla Protein Puddings recallaol.co.uk
- 15Angliss Singapore sues former employee over alleged confidential-information misappropriationstraitstimes.com
- 16Arla宣布上调10月牛奶价格farminguk.com
- 17Arla宣布下调5月牛奶价格fwi.co.uk
- 18Arla推出JÖRĐ燕麦饮品系列kamcity.com
- 19Arla announces 'record' December milk price risethescottishfarmer.co.uk
- 20Arla announces 1.8p/litre milk price rise for March - Farmers Weeklyfwi.co.uk
- 21Arla announces milk price boost for March - FarmingUK Newsfarminguk.com
- 22Arla cuts its farmgate milk pricethescottishfarmer.co.uk
- 23Arla cuts July milk pricethescottishfarmer.co.uk
- 24Arla cuts milk price as markets enter 'unprecedented territory' - FarmingUK Newsfarminguk.com
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