Arla Foods and DMK Group are poised to proceed with their merger following the acquisition of all required regulatory approvals. This consolidation joins 11,200 dairy farmers across seven European nations and a workforce totaling 28,800 worldwide.
Having reached this critical milestone, the new entity will manage a combined milk pool amounting to 19.4 billion kilograms every year and will generate a pro forma revenue exceeding 20 billion euros, all operating under the Arla brand.
Jan Toft Nørgaard, the chair of Arla Foods, remarked: “This is a landmark day for our cooperatives, for the next generation of dairy farmers and for European food production.” He emphasized that collaboration is essential for achieving the scale necessary for long-term economic stability and the ability to invest in a more sustainable food sector. “Our cooperatives have united farmers for generations and collaboration across borders has never been more important to help feed life across the planet.”
Heinz Korte, chair of DMK Group, expressed enthusiasm about the merger, stating: “We, the farmers, are looking forward to joining forces. The strong farmer support shown in the June 2025 votes reflects our commitment to stand together across borders, driven by our shared values and a clear vision for the future of dairy.” He highlighted the opportunity to create one of Europe’s largest agricultural communities, which will enhance their international presence and increase the value derived from their milk.
The integration of these two dairy organizations is scheduled to commence on June 1, 2026, under the Arla name. Jan Toft Nørgaard will continue as chair, with Inger-Lise Sjöström as vice chair and Peder Tuborgh as CEO. Additionally, DMK Group’s CEO Ingo Müller will join Arla’s executive team as executive vice president (EVP) of post-merger integration.
