The dairy industry is experiencing major transformations due to changes in people’s preferences and the high demand for animal alternatives. However, dairy products are a crucial part of the diet and are consumed in various forms, such as yogurt, cheese, and fresh milk.

Multiple dairy companies are behind in the global supply of these products, meeting the demand by using various modern techniques. Companies like Nestlé, Lactalis, Danone, Dairy Farmers of America, etc., are working as the top suppliers of milk products in the world. Based on the annual revenue generated from dairy operations, this article highlights the top 10 dairy companies in the world.

List of Top 10 Dairy Companies in the World

Here is the list of the top 10 dairy companies in the world:

• Nestlé (Switzerland)
• Lactalis (France)
• Danone (France)
• Dairy Farmers of America (USA)
• Yili Group (China)
• Fonterra (New Zealand)
• Mengniu Dairy (China)
• FrieslandCampina (Netherlands)
• Arla Foods (Denmark/Sweden)
• Saputo Inc. (Canada)

Sr. No.	Company	Headquarters	Dairy Revenue ( bn. US $)
1	Nestlé	Switzerland	26.7
2	Lactalis	France	21.3
3	Danone	France	20.9
4	Dairy Farmers of America	USA	19.3
5	Yili Group	China	18.2
6	Fonterra	New Zealand	14.8
7	Mengniu Dairy	China	13.7
8	FrieslandCampina	Netherlands	13.6
9	Arla Foods	Denmark/Sweden	13.3
10	Saputo Inc.	Canada	12.0

1. Nestlé (Switzerland)

Nestlé is the top dairy company in the world, and it has the highest revenue from its dairy operations.  With its headquarters in Switzerland, it operates globally and serves multiple regions of the world. It started its journey in 1905 after the merger of the “Anglo-Swiss Milk Company and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé. Initially, condensed milk and infant formula were its main product categories. With the passage of time, it grew its offering and added more products to its scope. Currently, its main product categories include bottled water, dairy products, ice cream, frozen foods, snacks, pet foods, breakfast cereals, medical food, etc. 

With its joint ventures with other international companies, it is serving multiple fields of life. Some of its key joint ventures include Beverage Partners Worldwide, which started with The Coca-Cola Company, and its Froneri venture, which started with PAI Partners. Likewise, its Nestlé Colgate-Palmolive joint venture with Colgate-Palmolive and Lactalis Nestlé Produits Frais with Lactalis are also some of its successful projects, generating huge amounts of revenue. Other than its vast operations, this company is under criticism for its various marketing campaigns, like promoting formula milk over breastfeeding and the use of bottled water, etc. 

2. Lactalis (France)

Lactalis is ranked second based on the revenue generated from its dairy operations. The Besnier family is behind this mega multinational company, and different brands are operating under it, like Parmalat, Siggi’s Dairy, Président, Skånemejerier, Stonyfield Farm, etc. It started its journey in 1933 as a small cheesemaking company, previously known as the Besnier S.A. On the basis of the dairy products group, it is the largest company in the world, and on the basis of the food products group, it is the second largest in France.

Its dairy products include baby formula, yogurt, butter, cheese, and powdered milk. Currently, it operates in various countries, such as the US, Romania, Poland, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ireland, Switzerland, and Croatia. Lactalis-Nestlé Fresh Products and Lactalis Nestle Chilled Dairy Co. Ltd. are its subsidiaries. Lactalis also remains involved in controversies, such as breaching the Dairy Code of Conduct in 2020 and forming cartels with other milk companies from 2000 to 2013. 

3. Danone (France)

This multinational corporation started its journey in 1919 and initially operated from Barcelona, Spain.

(born İzak Karasu), From the Ottoman Empire, a Jewish physician named Isaac Carasso led the foundation of this company as a small shop offering yogurt in Barcelona. Previously, it was known as the Groupe Danone, and in 2009, its name was changed to Danone. Most of its sales are generated from its fresh dairy products, and other significant offers include baby food, branded water, medical nutrition, etc. Currently, Antoine de Saint-Affrique is the CEO, and Franck Riboud is the Honorary Chairman of the company. 

It operates in global regions with multiple international and local brands. Some of the key international brands that generate huge revenue are Aptamil, Danimals, Dannon, Evian, Nutrilon, Volvic, etc. Moreover, AQUA, Bonafont, Cow & Gate, etc., are some of its regional brands. One of the reasons behind its rapid growth is its joint ventures in the international market. Companies like Al Safi, Yakult, Mengniu, etc, are working with it as joint ventures to capture more market segments. It also runs a research center named Danone Institute, which is based on research on public health and nutrition. 

Also Read: 10 Biggest Producers of Milk in the World

4. Dairy Farmers of America (USA)

Dairy Farmers of America is the top company based on the revenue generated from its dairy pardon. It sells daily products to wholesalers both domestically and globally. It started its journey in 1998 with the merger of four cooperatives named the Southern region of Associated Milk Producers Inc., Western Dairymen Cooperative Inc., Mid-America Dairymen Inc., and Milk Marketing Inc. 

Also, the Independent Cooperative Milk Producers Association, California Cooperative Creamery, Black Hills Milk Producers, etc., are mega-corporations that joined this platform. With its different acquisitions in previous years, like Kemps of St. Paul, D Oakhurst, Dairylea Cooperative Inc., etc., it is expanding its scope rapidly. Dean Foods, the largest milk producer in the US, was bought by the DFA in 2020. Some of its notable brands are Arla, Breakstone’s Butter, Cache Valley Creamery, Craigs Station Creamery, Dairy Maid Dairy, etc.

5. Yili Group (China)

Offering Chinese dairy products, Yili Group is one of the largest dairy companies in China, and it is also listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE). Its dairy products include fresh milk, dairy desserts, tea powder, sterilized milk, organic milk, etc. Some of its key brands that are operating under its name are Yili, Pro-Kido, and Satine. The Cooperative Dairy Farm of Hohhot Huimin District was the predecessor of this dairy group. In 1997, Yili Group officially started operating with its Tetra Pak company.

Yili Group has the honor of being the official dairy supplier of international events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2022 Asian Games and 2022 Winter Olympics. It was also involved in the 2008 Chinese milk scandal where melamine-contaminated milk resulted in kidney stones and other harmful effects on infants.

6. Fonterra (New Zealand)

This publicly traded co-operative is the target dairy company in New Zealand and is behind 30 % of the world’s dairy exports. Fonterra started its journey in 2001 after the merger between New Zealand Dairy Group (NZDG) and Kiwi Cooperative Dairies. It keeps on growing its scope of operations worldwide with its multiple joint ventures and acquisitions. Currently, it is offering a wide range of dairy products like milk, butter, cheese, and yogurt under its brands like Anchor, Anmum, Anlene, Mainland Cheese, and Nutiani.

Its Fonterra Research and Development Centre is one of the largest research institutes in the world. It aims to develop advanced techniques for dairy products like cheesemaking and powder milk production. Some of its notable subsidiaries are Fonterra Brands NZMP, Fonterra Global Dairy Trade, Anchor Food Professionals, and Fonterra Group Manufacturing. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority awarded Fonterra the Transpower Project Innovation Award and the Contact Energy Management Award in 2007.

7. Mengniu Dairy (China)

Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Limited by Share Ltd. is a leading Chinese company that generates high revenue from its dairy products. Niu Gensheng is the founder of Mengniu Dairy, which started its journey in 1999. Its Mengniu brand covers various products like ultra heat treated (UHT) milk, yogurt, ice cream, powdered milk, milk tablets, etc. All its operations are divided into three categories: the liquid milk products segment, the ice cream products segment, and other dairy products segment.

It is also behind the sponsorship of international sports tournaments: the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Mengniu Arla is a joint venture between Mengniu and Arla Foods, the largest Swedish company for dairy solid products. This connection in 2006 resulted in the supply of solid dairy products in China. Mengniu Dairy is also one of these companies that were involved in the melamine-contaminated milk powder scandal in 2008. 

8. FrieslandCampina (Netherlands)

This Dutch multinational dairy cooperative started in 2008 after the merger between Friesland Foods and Campina. FrieslandCampina‘s dairy products are available in more than 100 countries, and its branch offices are available in 33 countries. Its products are sold under brand names like CeCemel, Frico, Friso, Milner, Campina, Optimel, Mona, Parrano, Lattiz, Olpers, Peak, etc. Some of its notable subsidiaries are Alaska Milk Corporation, FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan, Dutch Lady Milk Industries, etc.  Some of its key products are baby and infant food, dairy drinks, yogurts, desserts, cheese, butter, cream, milk powder, fruit juices, fruit drinks, etc. 

Its Campina Optimel, Campina Optiwell, Campina Vifit, Campina Fruttis, etc., are famous brands with multiple health claims and earning high revenue in worldwide regions. Its net income was recorded in 2020 at around €79 million, and the total assets value was recorded at €5.373 billion.

9. Arla Foods (Denmark/Sweden)

This Danish-Swedish multinational cooperative is the fifth-largest dairy company in the world and the largest dairy product producer in the United Kingdom. Arla Foods started its journey in 2000 after the merger between Arla and MD Foods. It kept on expanding its scope of operations through various mergers and acquisitions, and by the end of the 20th century, it had gained almost 65 percent of the Swedish market share. Arla Foods Finland and Arla Foods UK are its two major subsidiaries. 

Arla Foods offers a wide range of dairy products under both local and international brands. Some of its famous international brands are Arla, Lurpak, Puck, etc. Its division, Arla Foods Ingredients, is primarily focused on the production of milk-based ingredients like milk proteins, minerals, bioactive phospholipids, lactose, and permeate. Some of the key destinations in the world where it has operational units are Indonesia, China, Japan, Egypt, West Africa, the United States, and Germany

10. Saputo Inc. (Canada)

This Canadian dairy company, founded by the Saputo family in 1954, is famous for its high-quality dairy products, such as mozzarella cheese, fluid milk, cream, and extended shelf-life milk. Its products are available in more than 60 countries worldwide, and mergers and acquisitions are behind its widespread operations. Currently, Lino A. Saputo is the CEO of the company, and its revenue was recorded at C$17.843 billion, and its net income was C$1.553 billion in 2023. 

Some of its major shareholders are Jolina Capital, Placements Italian, Beutel, Goodman & Co, The Vanguard Group, and Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. Its notable brands are Cracker Barrel, Dairyland, Devondale, Frigo, Joyya, La Paulina, Scotsburn, South Cape, Sungold, and others. Its dairy divisions are located in Canada, the USA, Argentina, Australia, and the UK.

Also Read: Top 10 Oldest Companies in the World

Bottom Line

Here are all the top dairy companies earning high revenue and contributing to economic development. Other than the growth aspects, there are many other factors linked to these companies. The safety and consequences of the methods used to meet the high demand for dairy products must be addressed. Animal welfare and environmental concerns are important aspects of the dairy landscape worldwide. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is America’s Largest Operating Company?

Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that is the largest not just in America but in the world.  Its revenue was recorded at around $611 billion in 2022.

Who Is the Biggest Dairy Farmer in Asia?

Farm Chokchai was founded in 1957 and is the biggest dairy farm in Asia. It is located in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima province, and covers an area of 8,000 acres.

Who Is the Biggest Exporter of Milk in Europe?

Germany is the biggest exporter of milk in Europe, and its exports were recorded at around $1.56 billion in 2022.

Who Is the Biggest Importer of Milk in Asia?

China is the biggest importer of milk in Asia and the amount of its imports was recorded at 6.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2022.