FDBusiness.com

2010 has been a year of expansion for Arla Foods following a period of restructuring and cost reduction in 2009. The Scandinavian dairy co-operative increased turnover by 6% to DKr49.03b (Eur6.6b) in 2010 and annual profit by 30.6% to DKr1.27b. In 2010 Arla’s board of directors decided that the company would aim for annual profits of 2.5% of turnover, which was achieved.

Arla Foods delivered significantly improved earnings in 2010 to its owners, Danish and Swedish milk producers. For each kg of milk supplied by its co-operative owners, Arla delivered 38 Danish ore more in 2010 than in 2009. In total, Arla’s earnings for its owners (the Arla performance price) amounted to 252 ore per kg of milk against 214 ore/kg milk in 2009.

”Over the past year, Arla has shaken off the effects of the recession without letting go of its tight cost controls. We’ve committed to a number of investments that demonstrate the company’s focus in the long-term and our readiness to exploit the opportunities offered by the markets in which we operate. One example is the decision to build the world’s largest fresh milk dairy in the UK. Another is that we will continue to streamline and invest in our ingredients business, which is one of the world’s leaders within its field,” says Peder Tuborgh, chief executive of Arla Foods.