Milcobel will lose record number of members in 2021

This is a consequence of a decision adopted last year.
According to the prospectus, there were a total of 2021 exits from Milcobel in 505. Some of these were stoppers, and others were switchers to other processors. Against these leavers were also 41 entrants. In 2020 there were 268 exits. According to the prospectus, Milcobel still has about 2.000 members.

Loss of milk unclear
It is not stated how large the volume of milk is that the switchers have taken with them. Assuming 10% stoppers (perhaps on the high side) and an above-average high milk volume at the switchers - say, 1 million liters - 450 million liters of milk quickly seem to have disappeared. However, this cannot be confirmed. Milcobel makes no statements about this. The average member supplied 750.000 kilos of milk last year. In that year, Milcobel processed about 1,4 billion liters of milk, as Milcobel recently indicated. It is not made clear whether this was only members' milk, or whether additional milk was also included.

Reservation for dropouts
Milcobel does indicate in the prospectus that it must reserve an amount of almost €11 million this year due to departing members. They may take their so-called divorce share (membership capital) with them. Milcobel must pay 20% of this in the first year of termination, the rest will come later. This is a result of the amendment to the Articles of Association implemented last year. Due to cancellations last year, it still has to pay out more than half a million in member assets.

Last year's amendment to the articles of association also stipulated that new members can only leave within five years if they pay a fine of €2,50 per 100 kilos. This discourages rapid entry and exit.