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Hochwald continues to grow but misses milk price target
Dairy cooperative Hochwald, also active in the Netherlands, has had a great 2024, she reports. However, Hochwald did not succeed in achieving an above-average milk price for Germany. Turnover did increase and, at over €2 billion, was slightly above the result of 2023. The volume of processed milk increased to more than 2,3 billion kilos.
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The exact turnover amounted to €2.010,9 million, compared to €1.965,6 million in 2023, and thus increased by 2,3%. The gross profit before tax increased by €22,9 million to €161,2 million. Of this turnover, 59% was generated in Germany itself, and 41% from exports.
Management is most satisfied with the results of business unit Consumer Products International. That did very well in markets in the Middle East and North Africa.
The members of the cooperative received an average milk price including additional payment of €48,10 per 100 kilos of milk. That should have been better, according to the board and management, because the average calculated milk price for Germany was also €48,10 last year, and the stated goal was to exceed that. In 2023, that was achieved. Then Hochwald paid €47,50 per 100 kilos of milk and the national average was €45,30.
Hochwald is optimistic about the market this year. Retail sales and prices are satisfactory and sales volume is increasing by several percent on average compared to 2024, according to figures from market researcher Nielsen.
In order to respond even better to market demand, Hochwald will now pay a higher fee for the fat content in the milk, while the protein fee remains stable, reports CEO Detlev Latka.