Analysis Milk
Organic milk is back in demand among farmers and processors
From the organic milk price comparator of Boerenbusiness It turns out that Arla paid the highest milk price in 2025, followed by Eko-Holland. The difference with conventional milk prices also widened significantly throughout the year. Market insiders don't expect a crash in 2026, as occurred with conventional milk. As a result, the enthusiasm for switching to organic is increasing again, both among processors and farmers.
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The average organic milk price for the whole of 2025 was €67,49 per 100 kilos. Arla the list with a year-round average milk price of €69,68 per 100 kilos, although this price only applies to a limited number of Dutch dairy farmers. While the Scandinavian dairy cooperative is a major player in organic dairy, it has a relatively small (organic) milk pool in the Netherlands.
Eko-Holland follows closely behind Arla. The difference between FrieslandCampina, A-ware, and Vreugdenhil is minimal at €0,11 per 100 kilos. Members of the Arla, Eko-Holland, and FrieslandCampina cooperatives are still eligible for a supplementary payment for 2025.
| Processor | Average organic milk price 2025 |
| Arla | €69,68 |
| Eco-Holland | €68,19 |
| FrieslandCampina | €66,58 |
| a-ware | €66,53 |
| Vreugenhil | €66,47 |
Growing difference with conventional
2025 was characterized by rising organic milk prices. The difference between the conventional and organic guaranteed price averaged €12,64 per 100 kilos. In January, the difference was still €7,50, but it widened rapidly after the summer as conventional milk prices fell sharply. By December, the difference had grown to €25 per 100 kilos. This made the price difference between organic and conventional milk the largest in years.
More interest
The increasing price difference is sparking renewed interest among conventional dairy farmers in switching to organic. Specific information is being provided, confirms René Cruijsen, chairman of Eko-Holland. After several quiet years with stable membership numbers, he sees interest increasing again. He believes there's room for approximately 20% growth, which equates to 40 to 50 new dairy farmers.
FrieslandCampina also has room for growth, as the sales market for organic dairy is steadily increasing. There is no longer a waiting list for organic members, as there used to be. In recent years, dairy farmers have been more hesitant. Klaas de Jong, COO of A-ware, also said: recently actively seeking additional organic milk. By 2026, the company aims to increase its focus on organic, making it a new priority. As Albert Heijn's preferred supplier, they are attempting to meet the supermarket chain's ambition to achieve an average 10% turnover share in the organic segment, including dairy, by 2030.
Outlook 2026
However, the organic market isn't completely immune to price pressure in the conventional segment. For February, for example, the organic guaranteed price has been significantly reduced, and other processors are expected to follow suit. According to Cruijsen, who is responsible for sales at Eko-Holland, major price drops are unlikely to occur. There is some pressure on the fat side, particularly with cream, but it's not nearly as extreme as with conventional dairy. Historically, the organic milk price often follows the pattern of the conventional market, albeit with less dramatic fluctuations.