Top 10: World's Biggest Dairy Companies

Once dominated by traditional milk products, the dairy sector now faces a time of transformation, shaped by sustainability imperatives, evolving consumer tastes for healthier and animal-free alternatives and technological breakthroughs. 

Yet industry leaders are navigating these choppy waters with bold strategies. These include embracing plant-based alternatives, developing functional dairy innovations, and weathering supply chain problems arising from geopolitical tensions. 

Recent years have also seen a flurry of mergers and acquisitions, which has redrawn the dairy landscape, as companies vie for global dominance. 

Meanwhile, environmental concerns and animal welfare issues are also spurring investments in sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies. This is propelling the world's top dairy enterprises into uncharted territory, showing a future where innovation and tradition combine in multiple ways.

This list features the 10 largest pure dairy industry companies by annual revenue, who are involved in the production and distribution of dairy products.

10. Baladna

Revenue: US$0.73bn
Employees: 2,015
CEO: Malcolm Jordan
Founded: 2014

Baladna is Qatar's largest locally-owned food and dairy producer, supplying over 95% of the country's fresh dairy products. 
Baladna collaborates with international partners to enhance productivity and diversify its product portfolio, which includes over 200 fresh dairy items. 
The company also aims to achieve self-sufficiency in dairy production for Qatar and expand its export capabilities.
The firm's goals focus is on increasing global market presence and driving innovation in the dairy sector and since its founding, Baladna has significantly grown its revenue and market share, establishing itself as a key player in Qatar's food security strategy.

9. Saudia Dairy & Foodstuff Company (SADAFCO)

Revenue: US$2.91bn
Employees: 2,500
CEO: Patrick Stillhart
Founded: 1976

SADAFCO collaborates with various international companies to enhance its product offerings and distribution network.
The company produces and markets a wide range of dairy and food products, including milk, ice cream and tomato paste.
SADAFCO aims to maintain market leadership in the Middle East and expand globally, focusing on innovation, quality and sustainability. 
Its achievements include becoming a market leader in Saudi Arabia and expanding its export markets.

8. Hatsun Agro Products

Revenue: US$3.20bn
Employees: 5,310
CEO: R. G. Chandramogan
Founded: 1970

Hatsun Agro Product has achieved significant growth, becoming the largest private dairy exporter in India.
The company collaborates with international partners to enhance its dairy and food product offerings.
It also manufactures and markets dairy products such as milk, ice creams and ghee. 
Aiming to become a global leader in dairy production, Hatsun focuses on innovation and quality. 

7. The a2 Milk Company

Revenue: US$3.27bn
Employees: 465
CEO: David Bortolussi
Founded: 2000

The a2 Milk Company collaborates with major firms like Fonterra to enhance its market reach and product offerings. 
The company specialises in producing and selling A1 protein-free milk (which is an emerging category that doesn’t contain the protein a1 beta-casein, commonly found in Northern Europe cows) and related products. 
It aims to pioneer the future of dairy by focusing on health benefits and expanding its global footprint. 
Notably, it became the most valuable company on the New Zealand stock exchange in 2018.

6. Fonterra

Revenue: US$3.32bn
Employees: 20,000
CEO: Miles Hurrell
Founded: 2001

Fonterra collaborates with major firms like Nestlé to expand its global footprint and enhance product offerings. 
The company was formed by merging New Zealand's two largest dairy cooperatives and is a leading dairy exporter, producing a wide range of dairy products. 
Fonterra aims to be the lowest-cost supplier and a leader in dairy innovation and is responsible for 30% of the world's dairy exports. 

5. Emmi AG

Revenue: US$5.47bn
Employees: 8,900
CEO: Ricarda Demarmels
Founded: 1907

Emmi AG, Switzerland's leading dairy products manufacturer, was originally called Central Switzerland Milk Association.
The company collaborates with major retailers and food companies to expand its global reach. 
Emmi AG produces a wide range of dairy products, including milk, cheese and yoghurt and aims to strengthen its position in the premium dairy market and expand internationally. 
It has achieved significant growth, with over 57% of sales now coming from abroad. 
It also briefly became Switzerland's largest food group following the collapse of Swiss Dairy Food in 2002.

4. Meiji Holdings

Revenue: US$6.63bn
Employees: 17,270
CEO: Kazuo Kawamura
Founded: 2009

Meiji Holdings collaborates with major companies like Nestlé to enhance its product offerings and market reach. 
The company produces dairy products, confectionery, and pharmaceuticals. 
Meiji aims to innovate in food and health sectors to improve global wellness. 
Its goals include expanding internationally and leading in health-related food products. 
Meiji was formed by merging Meiji Seika and Meiji Dairies, combining over a century of expertise.

3. Mengniu Dairy

Revenue: US$6.97bn
Employees: 46,064
CEO: Gao Fei
Founded: 2004

Mengniu Dairy collaborates with global firms like Nestlé and Dow to enhance product offerings and sustainability practices. 
The company produces a wide range of dairy products, including milk, yoghurt and ice cream. 
Mengniu aims to lead China's dairy industry and expand internationally, focusing on innovation and quality. 
The company operates 68 factories globally with an annual production capacity exceeding 12 million tonnes.
It has achieved significant market share in various dairy segments and established overseas production bases. 

2. Saputo

Revenue: US$9.68bn
Employees: 19,600
CEO: Lino A. Saputo
Founded: 1954

Saputo collaborates with major retailers and food companies globally to enhance its market presence. 
The company produces and distributes a wide array of dairy products, including cheese, fluid milk and dairy ingredients. 
Saputo aims to strengthen its global market position through innovation and strategic acquisitions and has completed 36 acquisitions since going public, demonstrating its aggressive growth strategy.

1. Yili Group

Revenue: US$21.92bn
Employees: 56,079
CEO: Pan Gang
Founded: 1993

Yili Group, a powerhouse in the Chinese dairy industry, has rapidly expanded its global footprint. 
The company's diverse product portfolio, ranging from milk and yoghurt to ice cream, caters to over 1.1 billion consumers annually. 
Yili's strategic collaborations, such as with Italian dairy giant Serilgarda Alimenti, and significant investments in New Zealand underscore its international ambitions. The establishment of an R&D centre in the Netherlands further demonstrates Yili's commitment to innovation. 
The company's prestige is evident in its role as the official dairy supplier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

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