Arla also embraces Better for top milk flow

The Dutch branch of Arla has embraced the Better for Nature & Farmer quality mark. With this, it introduces a new top milk flow that entitles to a sustainability premium of €5 per 100 kilos of milk. In order to meet the growing demand, the Scandinavian dairy cooperative hopes to welcome new Dutch dairy farmers.

The new milk flow is linked to the Melkunie brand, which has been owned by Arla since 2009. The transition to the Beter Voor quality mark will be phased. The first products will receive the quality mark from 2025; this mainly concerns white dairy. Other products will follow a year later, including Breaker. 

New members
Dairy farmers who switch will receive a three-year purchase guarantee. According to Arla, this is an attempt to meet dairy farmers in the investments they have to make to meet the delivery requirements of the quality mark. The requirements of the quality mark are quite broad and focus on nature management and the protection of meadow birds in addition to animal welfare. 

Arla has been in talks with its own dairy farmers for some time to ensure a smooth transition to the quality mark, although not all members can make the transition. In addition, it hopes that the top milk flow, which currently gives a premium of €5 per 100 kilos on the basic milk price, has an attractive effect on new Dutch members. At the moment Arla is still a relatively small processor in the Netherlands. In addition to its own supply, milk is purchased from third parties. 

Better Quality Mark
In the Netherlands, dairy producer A-ware also works with the Beter Voor quality mark. A-ware recently announced that the premium will be increased by €1 from next year to increase to €6 per 100 kilos. If this increase is approved by the quality mark, this increase will also apply to Arla. Initially, the quality mark was a private initiative of Albert Heijn, but it is now open to other parties.

Compare Arla's milk price here with that of other Dutch dairy producers in the Boerenbusiness Dutch Milk price calculator. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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