EU Commission greenlights FrieslandCampina-Milcobel dairy mega-merger
Key takeaways
- The European Commission has approved the FrieslandCampina-Milcobel merger, clearing the last regulatory hurdle.
- The combined cooperative will operate in 30 countries, employ 22,000 people, and process 10 billion kg of milk annually.
- The merger supports FrieslandCampina’s 2023 restructuring program to strengthen competitiveness and focus on core markets.
The European Commission has approved the merger between FrieslandCampina and Milcobel, signaling a move forward for the deal. The agreement is part of the Dutch dairy cooperative’s reorganization program, launched in 2023 to optimize its business operations.
Once finalized, the merger would create a new entity that would be one of the largest European dairy players.
FrieslandCampina, one of the world’s largest dairy cooperatives and a leading dairy company, and Belgian heavyweight Milcobel, initially announced plans to merge in December 2024 to create “one international, future-oriented organization.”
Combined, the company would operate in 30 countries, employ nearly 22,000 staff worldwide, and process a total volume of approximately 10 billion kg of member milk. This milk would be supplied by almost 11,000 member dairy farms, owned by approximately 16,000 member dairy farmers in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Northern France.
Combined dairy cooperative powerhouse
At the time of the merger announcement, FrieslandCampina said the deal would create a future-oriented, combined dairy cooperative that is resilient and capable of capitalizing on opportunities in the dynamic global dairy market.
However, the European Commission investigated the proposed merger over potential competition concerns. This investigation was completed earlier this week, with the commission concluding that the merger does not pose a significant impediment to competition in relevant markets, including cheese trade and fresh dairy products in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
This approval is the final required authorization in a series of notifications submitted to competition authorities worldwide.
A notification was also submitted to the European Commission under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, which has already received a positive decision.
EU greenlights FrieslandCampina–Milcobel mega-merger, paving the way for one of Europe’s largest dairy cooperatives.
Deal inches closer
The two companies can now proceed with merger preparations. The final decision regarding the merger will be made on December 16, 2025, by the FrieslandCampina Members’ Council and Milcobel’s Extraordinary General Meeting.
FrieslandCampina notes that trade unions have been informed of the commission’s decision.
FrieslandCampina business moves
Earlier this year, FrieslandCampina agreed to sell its operations in Romania to Bonafarm Group, including the leading local brand Napolact and the production facilities in Cluj-Napoca and Târgu Mureș.
The decision followed a strategic review of FrieslandCampina’s activities in Romania and is part of the company’s strategy to focus on core markets, high-value-added growth segments, and markets where the milk from FrieslandCampina member dairy farmers can be optimally valorized.
Last month, the business arm of the cooperative, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, launched a new application center in Singapore to boost the supply of its ingredient solutions in evolving Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia.
