FrieslandCampina concerned about the departure of members

According to various reports, members have been leaving in recent months for several competitors, both cooperative and private. In the Achterhoek and Twente, around 180 members are leaving, according to reports among dairy farmers. Members elsewhere in the country are also resigning, both because of the milk price paid and out of dissatisfaction with the policy being pursued. A spokesperson for FrieslandCampina does not want to answer questions about the numbers of departures.

Schumacher calls on members who are considering leaving not to do so. "I am concerned when I hear reports that there are members who are considering leaving. Every kilogram of milk is welcome. We just don't want to see members leave. We want to keep everyone involved," he says. a video which first appeared on Melkweb and was then shared by members.

Schumacher also indicates that it is important for the company to maintain a sufficiently large milk pool. “Scale in the market counts.” Sufficient milk volume is now all the more important because there is about 2% less supply than the forecast.

Chinese infant nutrition market lost
Schumacher also makes it clear again that the Chinese market for infant nutrition is as good as lost. "Friso is no longer relevant for the Chinese consumer. That is a bitter pill."

Other parts of the company, such as consumer dairy, food service and ingredients (as far as they are not ingredients for infant food) are doing better. However, these parts have lower profit margins than usual with infant nutrition.