Van Bakel places milk sales with trader Geris

The Dutch dairy trade gains a new player with Artemis Milkproducts, part of the Geris Food Group. Based on long-term agreements with Vreba Melkvee, owned by the Van Bakel family, the new company secures immediate access to milk flows.

Artemis Milkproducts is a 100% subsidiary within the Geris Food Group and focuses on the international trade in liquid dairy flows, including cream, whey, and milk concentrate. The company is based in Vredepeel and is led by Gerbrand van Veldhuizen, co-CEO of Geris.

He tells Boerenbusiness that the backward integration in the chain fits within a broader strategy. "By being closer to the milk flow, the operating companies within Geris gain more control over the raw material that forms the basis of products such as cheese and butter. This shifts the company's focus towards the front of the chain." This step cannot be viewed in isolation from the expected decline in Dutch milk production, although the day market is currently characterized by surpluses. 

Milk of Vreba
A key role is reserved for Vreba Dairy Cattle, one of the larger dairy farms in the Netherlands with approximately 2.250 cows. Agreements have been made with this farm regarding the supply of milk. The collaboration builds on the existing relationship between the Geris and Van Bakel groups. In addition to this regular supply, Artemis will also purchase, process, and trade milk from other parties.

For processing, use is made of, among others, Farmer House Products, also affiliated with Van Bakel. This company specializes in the production of lactoferrin from cow's milk, a high-quality ingredient for baby food, among other things. Geris has no interest in this company but will make use of the production capacity.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is Head of Meat & Dairy at BoerenbusinessAt DCA Market Intelligence, he focuses on dairy, pork, and meat markets. He also monitors (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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