Cono loses a large amount of milk with the permanent departure of members

At the end of October it was already revealed that the group of dissatisfied dairy farmers with usually many cows were in talks with other processors. Now a spokesperson has announced that they are definitely switching to two other processors. According to him, these are Lactalis Leerdammer and the Producer Organisation Dairy Farmers (POM), which has recently become active in the trade of milk and dairy products. The volume distribution between these buyers of a total of approximately 50 million kilos of milk is left unsaid.

Cocktail of factors
The group's departure from Cono has several reasons. For example, dissatisfaction about the lagging milk price in recent years. They are also bothered by the fact that non-grazing dairy farmers are being cut on their milk money. In addition, the decision that Cono scrapped the entrance premium for new entrants to the cooperative last year, while the exit premium remains in place, plays a role. This is 4% of the average turnover in the past 5 years.

Cono's interest in Ikwileerlijkezuivel.nl has also not been well received by the group, because it means that membership fees are going to sustainability goals that, according to them, do not benefit non-grazing members.

Also new members for Cono
Losing 10% of the milk pool is a blow for Cono Cheesemakers. In the current shrinking market, in which the battle for milk between processors has flared up considerably in recent years, that volume has not simply been replenished. The cooperative states in a response that the members in question have made their departure known in writing. Cono regrets the departure, but says it respects the choice of each individual member. Cono also indicates that it does not recognize itself in the volume of 50 million kilos, but according to the cooperative, it will lose more than 2025 million kilos of milk by 30. Cono also emphasizes that in addition to departing members, new members are also being welcomed this year.

Furthermore, Cono says about the departing members: "We chose a course a long time ago that some members can no longer agree with. That course has successfully brought our cheese into the premium segment. Due to our way of working, we can easily absorb fluctuations in the milk supply. At the same time, we have welcomed new members in recent years and we have sufficient sustainable, high-quality milk to make our premium cheese." In addition, the spokesperson states that the argument put forward by the departing members about Ikwileerlijkezuivel.nl is incorrect. "The result that comes from this actually benefits all livestock farmers."